Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include depression and anxiety, finding that there was no evidence of a psychosis in the one year post-service period and clear and unmistakable evidence showing that his preexisting psychiatric condition did not worsen during his periods of active duty.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder or coronary artery disease. The Veteran's current anxiety disorder is found to be related to his military service. However, the evidence does not support a finding of cold injury residuals as claimed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, needs further development and clarification. Specifically, efforts should be made to verify a claimed in-service stressor involving basic training and a shooting incident next to the Veteran. Additionally, current VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other issue on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, an addendum opinion from the August 2014 VA examiner, and another attempt to obtain Dr. Harrington's records.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders do not produce deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The disability is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including his depression and anxiety, is being exacerbated by his service-connected low back disability. The Board grants the claim for service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and denied both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-PTSD acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety disorder, are not related to his military service. The diagnoses stem from childhood stressors and events prior to his active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including MDD and anxiety, are not related to his time in active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran also had his request to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, knees, feet, elbows, hands, and neck denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, to include PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for this disability.