Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding whether any current psychiatric diagnoses are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records from her mental health provider, Dr. Rosalyn Offutt.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder with anxiety is found to be related to his in-service treatment for depression. For the initial compensable rating claim for rhinitis, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a 10% or higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 50 percent rating for PTSD with anxiety/adjustment disorder since August 23, 1989. He seeks an increased initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The remand is due to concerns about the adequacy of the previous medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disability found, as well as whether sleep apnea is related to service or aggravated by any diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus as a result of service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are less likely than not caused by or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety, diabetic nephropathy, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, and status post shrapnel injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and memory problems. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between his current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, did not have their onset during service or due to an in-service event. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by multi organ failure, with end stage renal disease and sepsis as contributing factors. The VA denied service connection for the cause of his death because there is no evidence linking a service-connected condition to his death.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with gastrointestinal manifestations is found to have originated during his period of active duty, and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of direct service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 6, 2011 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent. Since November 1, 2011, his PTSD symptoms have met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.