Anxiety decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, did not manifest during active military service and are not otherwise related to a disease, injury, or event during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected involutional melancholia and anxiety reaction were rated at 100% effective April 5, 1973. The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the June 16, 1983 rating decision that denied DIC benefits due to CUE.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders, as well as peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA medical records that need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's psychiatric and cognitive conditions are manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, dysthymic disorder, PTSD, and depression is granted. However, the claim for service connection for a seizure disorder is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is not granted due to lack of medical diagnosis and credible supporting evidence. Service connection for a seizure disorder is also not granted as it is related to alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Vet Center treatment records and providing an addendum to the April 2014 VA PTSD examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining specific dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA from appropriate Federal sources.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for left ulnar nerve entrapment and anxiety disorder, NOS, and depressive disorder. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder has been evaluated at a 50 percent rating since October 29, 2008. The evaluation is based on the symptoms and impairment described by the Veteran.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with PTSD features and alcohol abuse, is currently rated at 50 percent. The symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they primarily include anxiety, anger, nightmares, sleep difficulty, irritability, and depression.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted service connection effective April 24, 2008. The RO found new and material evidence to reopen his PTSD claim in May 2014, which led to the grant of service connection for an anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further procedural action regarding his claims of service connection and initial disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is based on new and material evidence submitted after the previous denial.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, claimed as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the anatomical loss or use of both feet, one hand and one foot, blindness in both eyes, or render him permanently bedridden or helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. Therefore, his claim for SMC based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person is denied.

The Veteran's acquired skin disorder, to include scabies and pruritus, is directly related to his active military service. The Board finds the Veteran competent to describe his symptoms in service and thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and USS Scorpion ship's history. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressive mood are related to his in-service stressors. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.