Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to service or her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizure disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder NOS and cognitive disorder NOS, are related to his service. The residuals of traumatic brain injury have not been established as a separate condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to February 8, 2011.

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 clarification of his diagnoses.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been manifested by symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher evaluation. The current 50 percent rating is appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right foot, and left shoulder disabilities. The gastrointestinal disability was not found to be incurred in or due to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder that is related to their active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and anxiety disorder are related to his service, including his in-service experiences in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and specific situational phobia and an anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address his skin disorder of the bilateral feet and acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety. The Board will also seek an addendum opinion regarding whether any pre-existing acquired psychiatric disorders were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's claimed stressors, and a request for verification from the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and obtaining an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is claimed as PTSD. The Veteran's claim was reopened and a new diagnosis of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder was provided.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for hepatitis C. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be causally related to his active service and/or to his service-connected disabilities, and the claim for service connection is granted.