Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression have been denied as his claimed conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety are related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder, was rated at 50 percent prior to October 22, 2007. The rating has since been increased to 70 percent as of March 1, 2010.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms of occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of generalized anxiety disorder and HIV have resulted in a combined 70 percent disability rating since January 4, 2010. The criteria for entitlement to TDIU on a schedular basis are met.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence received since the January 2007 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since January 7, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence supports a rating of 50 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected left eye disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or separate disfigurement rating, and he is not entitled to SMC based on loss of use of vision.

The Veteran's total hysterectomy is etiologically related to uterine hemorrhaging that began during her active duty service, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including claimed PTSD, is rated at 50 percent since June 5, 2014. The condition results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with polysubstance abuse is service-connected, but the criteria for PTSD are not met. Service connection was granted for alcohol/drug abuse and chronic insomnia, but no heart disability or hepatitis C were found to be related to service. The Veteran does not have a shoulder disability or epididymitis that can be linked to service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, rated at 70% since April 2011, is granted and the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his service-connected anxiety disorder and consideration of the TDIU issue. The claims will be adjudicated again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety reaction and depression, had its onset during his active service. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding several rating and effective date claims, including for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, left thoracic outlet syndrome, removal of middle and anterior scalene muscles, status post resection cervical and first thoracic ribs, residual scar, and service connection.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety has been granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 10 percent prior to May 8, 2013 and at 30 percent since then. The Board found that the symptoms have not met criteria for higher ratings.