Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left leg/calf disability. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by depression, chronic sleep impairment, and anxiety, which results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability. The Board finds that a 50 percent rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was incurred in service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms was rated at 70 percent prior to September 4, 2014. From that date, the rating was increased to 100 percent.,Effective from September 4, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent evaluation for her major depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the evaluation of his service-connected general anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying duty periods and obtaining a VA mental health examination. The Veteran's psychiatric disability may have pre-existed his service or developed during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The RO denied these claims in the past and did not consider all relevant evidence, necessitating a de novo review. Further development is needed to address new evidence and provide an updated examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. Service connection was granted for left wrist scar, but with an initial rating of 0%. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for painful limited motion of the left wrist and limited motion of the left thumb were both granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with features of PTSD and depressive symptoms is denied as a matter of law.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and panic disorder with agoraphobia), are not related to her service. The presumption of soundness applies as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that a preexisting condition existed prior to her entry into service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be related to his military service, while his anxiety disorder is not. Service connection is granted for bipolar disorder but denied for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and right hip strain prior to July 19, 2010 are currently rated at the lowest possible evaluation (10%) due to limited flexion. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, is etiologically related to his service, specifically his period of homelessness in 2005-2006.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder does not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 1968 for the grant of service connection for major depression and anxiety disorder, based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, back injury, and hip condition are not related to his military service. The claim for Meniere's syndrome is pending as it relates to a different issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and assigned a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.