Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder is still pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board also granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression NOS, and generalized anxiety disorder), finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's request for a Board hearing has been scheduled, but the notices were sent to an incorrect address. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing at his latest address.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of an acquired psychiatric disorder. As such, service connection for any psychiatric disability was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder, which could be attributed to active service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension as secondary to that disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability including arthritis that is related to service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for this condition.,Similarly, the Board has found no evidence of a current left knee disability including arthritis that can be attributed to service. The Veteran's current left knee disabilities are presumed to have developed post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his service connection claim, specifically addressing whether his acquired psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety, and depression have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and treatment records, and will schedule an examination upon remand. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his IBS was not more than severe in severity and that his left hip residuals did not meet criteria for ankylosis or other compensable limitations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for epistaxis/nose bleeds, bilateral hearing loss, arthritis (unspecified), painful joints (unspecified), asthma, Bell's palsy, and vision loss. The TDIU rating issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a separate diagnosis.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, unspecified, with trauma related features is found to be service-connected. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her in-service neck injury. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending and will be addressed further.

The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is causally or etiologically related to his period of honorable military service. The symptoms are more likely attributable to his dishonorable service following his conviction for indecent acts and liberties with a minor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to confirm the Veteran's reported stressors, obtain private treatment records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus with hypertension, diabetic retinopathy with loss of visual acuity and fields, and erectile dysfunction have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective January 5, 2011, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.