Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder with a history of PTSD cannot be granted as there is no evidence indicating an intent to file such a claim prior to May 8, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety and insomnia, as secondary to military sexual trauma, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to military sexual trauma.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal must be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a new VA examination to assess his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his secondary service connection theory.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the relationship between his claimed psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, was rated at 50 percent from December 8, 2006 to March 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the December 2014 VA-contracted examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically depression and anxiety, was found to warrant a 70 percent initial disability rating for the period prior to April 14, 2011. The symptoms included significant depressive mood, social isolation, irritability, and passive suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent since December 17, 2015. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted for the period prior to December 17, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 2, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed stressors. He is also seeking an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is reopened. However, the evidence does not establish a direct link between his current mental health conditions and his military service or in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder, was granted. The condition is presumed to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders other than service-connected anxiety disorder with panic disorder and agoraphobia. The Veteran's representative requested that the VA examiner review the claims file and provide answers to the questions as cited in the July 2015 Board remand.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all acquired psychiatric disabilities and is remanding the case for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The VA examiner found no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD due to the lack of in-service stressor confirmation. A new examination is needed to assess whether any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing at the RO in accordance with the Veteran's request.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and a permanent and total disability rating, both effective June 23, 2009. The Veteran's earlier effective date claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.