Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, anxiety disorder (NOS), finding that the Veteran's symptoms are causally related to his in-service experiences. The issue of entitlement to sleep apnea was not addressed as it had been previously denied and not readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, requires further development due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if any of his diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and anxiety. The evidence shows a link between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and his current psychiatric disability. Therefore, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, previously evaluated as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was granted a 70 percent rating effective July 16, 2014. The disability caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia with chronic symptoms of depression and anxiety. The evidence now supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during the period of the claim, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are not service-connected because there is no credible evidence of an in-service sexual assault, and thus did not establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinions and the need for additional treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeals.

The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and depressive disorders, do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to PTSD. The VA examiner found no full diagnosis of PTSD but noted symptoms consistent with PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, a back disability, and a right hip disability. The evidence did not support that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for an opinion on whether the Veteran's depression and anxiety disorders were aggravated by his service-connected physical disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion for all psychiatric disorders other than PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of Bipolar disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder are also being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a mental health condition, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The issue of PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with appropriate examinations to determine the etiology of his shin splints and psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and schizophrenia, did not exist prior to service or was not aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches and acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service-connected disabilities, granting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD with anxiety and panic attacks, secondary depression, and episodic alcohol abuse is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.