Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to clarify whether any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and whether such disorders are related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not related to his military service and denied the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation based on service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various psychiatric conditions, chronic pneumonitis, LBBB, ulcerative colitis, and TDIU.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar myofascial pain syndrome originated during her active service and is granted service connection. The psychiatric disorders (depression, PTSD, anxiety disorder) are not directly related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that new evidence from his VA psychologist supports a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with posttraumatic stress symptoms has not caused occupational and social impairment that warrants a higher initial disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing all available records to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service or any lightning strike incident.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA disability records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety. The Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his current symptoms are related to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder NOS has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to have been incurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and were not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's depression is due to his service-connected left finger disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including those involving diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a skin rash, bilateral hearing loss, depression disorder, and anxiety.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder) are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability and the current severity of hypertension.