Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for generalized anxiety disorder, patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis in the right knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis in the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than anxiety and depression disorder, to include hallucinogenic persisting perception disorder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the Veteran submitting a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on the issue of eligibility for a special clothing allowance.

The Veteran asserts that the evidence of record at the time of the October 2003 adjudication unquestionably supports a rating in excess of 10 percent for her hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease due to the types and severity of her symptoms.,The RO's failure to assign a disability rating for hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease with a separate disability rating for the post-treatment residual of hypothyroidism represents an incorrect application of the relevant regulatory provisions.

The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for PTSD, anxiety, and depression related to service. The Veteran's symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD, and her stressor event is supported by credible supporting evidence. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a separate and distinct left knee disability from his currently service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating of his PTSD disability. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder prior to May 14, 2015, has been rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder NOS, have been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since June 9, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify stressors and service connection, including obtaining records of treatment and personnel records. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are being evaluated in light of verified stressors during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are due to in-service military sexual trauma and service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of panic disorder with agoraphobia and PTSD. The decision finds that there is a medical link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. His claim of entitlement to an increased rating for anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms and TDIU rating are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his PTSD with anxiety and his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for updated medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and for a supplemental comment from the May 2015 VA examiner regarding the severity of his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, requesting Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and providing the Veteran with a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorder is September 8, 2011. The Veteran's claim was received on this date, which is later than when he had been diagnosed with these conditions.