Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Veteran's mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD are found to have their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for his psychiatric disorder, including based on CUE in the April 1992 RO rating decision, is dismissed due to it being filed after the finality of that decision and because the appellant's accrued benefits claim must be dismissed as it does not survive the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's TBI is directly related to his service, including exposure to IEDs and other explosive devices during his deployment in Iraq.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating for parasomnia and did not appeal the September 2014 rating decision that granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder with a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes unspecified anxiety disorder and PTSD, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a medical relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and his military service or his service-connected adductors myositis, left/adductors tenosynovitis.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left eye injury, finding that the current cataract is as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service left eye injury. The remaining claims are remanded due to insufficient examination reports and need further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for depression with anxiety and panic attacks, sinus disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and restless leg syndrome. The Veteran's statements regarding his experiences in service have been considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a request for VA medical records from Dr. M.S. at VAMC Kansas City Behavioral Clinic.

The Veteran's tinnitus, Major Depressive Disorder, and anxiety were found to be related to service. The Veteran's sleep apnea was not found to be related to service or coincident with service.

The Board has determined that service connection for a personality disorder and psychiatric disability, including dysthymia, GAD, and adjustment disorder, is denied as the Veteran's conditions are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the Louisville, Kentucky RO. The issues on appeal include service connection claims and requests to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's mother and a private medical opinion. The case will be returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

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

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, is found to be related to her service-connected PTSD with depression and schizoaffective disorder. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The claim for increased rating for residuals of SFW of the right lower extremity with Muscle Group (MG) XI damage and with retained foreign bodies (RFBs) was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

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