Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including dysthymic disorder, MDD, and anxiety disorder NOS, had their onset in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, hypertension, high cholesterol, and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus are also being addressed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified with generalized anxiety and posttraumatic stress features, is related to his active service. The claim for depressive disorder NOS was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability related to his active duty service, and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder based on lack of a diagnosed condition in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The claim was also not granted as secondary to an already service-connected condition or due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's Tourette's syndrome was rated at 10 percent prior to February 11, 2014, and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The initial disability rating for chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The issue of service connection for interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma related to asbestos exposure is also pending.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and PTSD. The VA examiner will need to provide a more detailed opinion regarding the relationship between any current psychiatric disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, service connection for sinusitis and a right ankle disability, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset during his active service. The claim for an anxiety disorder is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and considering newly submitted evidence.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be service connected, with the diagnosis being an anxiety disorder rather than PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's anxiety/depressive disorder with panic attacks is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his anxiety disorder and consideration of a TDIU due to service-connected anxiety disorder on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for a lung disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was previously denied, but reopened in August 2009.

The Board dismissed the claims for CUE in prior decisions, finding that a surviving spouse cannot initiate such claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder due to new evidence showing diagnoses of these conditions. The issues remain in a 'mixed' disposition as some aspects may be granted while others are denied.