Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The effective date of service connection for his anxiety disorder remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical opinions and records, as well as to determine if any of the Veteran's conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claims for stress fracture of the left leg, shin splints of the right leg, shin splints of the left leg, and anxiety disorder were also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder prior to September 21, 2009 warranted a 50 percent disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of disability compensation in the amount of $33,110 due to fault on the part of the Veteran and lack of undue hardship. The decision also noted that the debt was not created by fraud or misrepresentation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic rhinitis, generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, sinusitis, esophageal hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral hearing loss, meet the criteria for a TDIU and VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and determined that his anxiety disorder NOS with posttraumatic features is related to his service. The claim for PTSD was denied, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a mental disorder, including PTSD and depression, cannot be reopened due to insufficient evidence to verify his in-service stressor. The case is being remanded to conduct additional research into his service in Grenada in November 1983.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's in-service stressors occurred and are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD and anxiety disorder, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity level of his service-connected anxiety disorder. The issue remains on hold until further notice.

The Board has determined that a further mental disorders examination is necessary and the case is therefore REMANDED for the following actions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS is granted as service connected due to in-service exposure to decomposing bodies and witnessing a suicide.

The Board has remanded the claims due to issues with the hearing, and the Veteran is requested to participate in a video teleconference hearing before a new VLJ.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depression have been rated as 50 percent disabling, the minimum required for a higher rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further medical evaluation. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service.