Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU benefits based on the evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disability, to include whether he currently has PTSD as a result of his Vietnam experiences. An additional VA psychiatric examination is also required to clarify the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's anxiety disorder or any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to her military service. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, manifested during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and his claims for service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a right index finger fracture are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing such disabilities were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is linked to his fear of hostile military action during his Vietnam service, and thus meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depression does not produce total occupational and social impairment, resulting in a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a personal assault stressor notice letter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was incurred during active service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an audio malfunction during his hearing, and he has been requested for another Video Conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for outstanding records and additional VA examinations. The claims are related to his anxiety disorder, which he seeks evaluations for and a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional records and arranging a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to her periods of service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and schizoid personality disorder have been granted service connection. His combined disability rating is at least 70%, meeting the threshold for a TDIU, but his psychiatric disabilities do not meet the criteria for a separate 60% or higher rating.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated as totally disabling since September 22, 2000. As the effective date of this rating is earlier than the date of his death in April 2005, he meets the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms.