Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, secondary to an in-service personal assault, has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a diagnosis of PTSD and established a link between the current symptoms and the claimed stressor.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to September 5, 2013.,From September 5, 2013 to February 25, 2015, the Veteran's anxiety disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service and whether the Veteran's reported combat stressors caused his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of an in-service stressor and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is linked to this stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on hospital treatment of service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, and fatigue syndrome. The diagnoses are related to the Veteran's participation in Project SHAD testing during his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to his service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders and low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection. The right thigh gunshot wound residuals were rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran requested a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from March 26, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal concerning erectile dysfunction and dental disorder claims due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The claim for an earlier effective date for IBS was dismissed as it did not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 27, 2012 for the grant of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded. The Board has also referred his claim for service connection for mood disorder, with mixed depression and anxiety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service-connected and his anxiety disorder warrants a rating of 50 percent, which is the maximum available under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with affective disorder and depression is rated at 70 percent since June 24, 2012. The effective date for this rating remains August 23, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence available.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The issue is now before the Board for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss as a separate disability from his service-connected anxiety disorder, finding that there was no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of a distinct memory disorder.

The Board has ordered a new examination and requested additional evidence to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The appeal is currently on hold for further review.