Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection were not substantiated by the evidence of record. The Board found that there was no direct or secondary service connection for any claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, but has determined that these claims are not granted on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD. The examiner should reconcile diagnoses in the record and provide opinions on whether these disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression and mood disorder as secondary to his spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical opinion regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a medical examination of his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pains and an increased evaluation for his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS remains pending. The issue of service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by chest pain during the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but is unable to make a determination on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his military service due to insufficient evidence regarding its pre-service existence and aggravation.

The Veteran's mixed anxiety depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since October 20, 2009. The effective date for this rating is not specified in the decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders, back disorder, Dupuytren's contractures of both hands, breathing disorder, dysphagia, headaches, leg and foot disorders, as well as liver disorder. The highest rating assigned was 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran is granted service connection for migraines and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and an anxiety not otherwise specified with depressed mood. The claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent since August 7, 2013. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as secondary to service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Veteran's preexisting conditions need to be evaluated in accordance with Wagner v. Principi.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to July 8, 2014, and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent since that date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, are found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. However, there is no evidence of a current disability manifested by low blood pressure during the appeal period.

The Board has expanded the issue on appeal to include entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran claims service connection for anxiety and depression as secondary to his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, cystic acne, and epidermal inclusions. He also claims service connection for PTSD based on a reported in-service personal assault. Additional development is needed to verify the stressor event and obtain relevant records.