Anxiety decisions — 2016

For the period prior to May 9, 2014, the Veteran's anxiety disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to anxiety, poorly controlled anger, startle reaction, recurrent distressing thoughts and dreams, avoidance, vigilance, and decreased concentration.,For the period from May 9, 2014, the Veteran's anxiety disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to anxiety, poorly controlled anger, startle reaction, recurrent distressing thoughts and dreams, avoidance, vigilance, and decreased concentration.

Effective February 22, 2007, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and providing the Veteran with a statement of the case regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS was initially rated at 50 percent prior to April 1, 2011. Beginning on April 1, 2011, the rating for his PTSD was increased to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (including panic disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to failure to obtain treatment records from the Vet Center in Charlotte, North Carolina and other pertinent medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial. Service connection is granted as the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is found to be etiologically related to his in-service head trauma.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to afford the Veteran a requested hearing, and the appeal is now pending for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder (panic disorder) manifested due to his active service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected anxiety disorder. However, he is currently employed full-time and has a stable work history, which means that his service-connected disability alone does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disability during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current depression is not linked to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The VA examiner concluded that there is less than 50% probability that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will handle any further development as required.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and additional development of records, as the Veteran's symptoms have reportedly increased since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and records, as well as obtaining SSA disability benefits information.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent for his generalized anxiety disorder with depression has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder associated with tinnitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection effective April 1, 2008. The initial ratings for these conditions are assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder have been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2015.

As of July 28, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability due to his anxiety disorder and lumbar spine osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of heat stroke are service-connected, as it is reasonable to conclude that his current cognitive and emotional issues stem from an in-service heat stroke injury.