Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues include service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to anxiety disorder and hypertension, as well as an increased rating for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA will obtain SSA disability records and any relevant VA treatment records from the Loma Linda and Richmond VA healthcare systems.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's symptoms do not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity as required for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an addendum opinion and further development due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and treatment records. The case is also remanded to obtain verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors involving a fellow serviceman being accidentally beheaded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with receiving and sending documents, including a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's current address needs to be verified and an SSOC should be reissued.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA will obtain SSA disability records and any relevant VA treatment records from the Loma Linda and Richmond VA healthcare systems.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health diagnoses and their relation to service. The Veteran is requested to undergo a new examination by an examiner other than those who conducted previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, updating employment information, and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including uploading of a VA/QTC examination and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after the requested development has been completed.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder and generalized anxiety disorder necessitate the need for aid and attendance of another person to keep himself clean and presentable, as well as protect him from daily environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorder, as these conditions are linked to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder is not causally related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder) is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disabilities are not related to his active service and therefore denied service connection for bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of October 25, 2002. However, the Board found that a prior unadjudicated claim for service connection for anxiety disorder existed and thus determined that the earlier effective date of January 22, 1981 should apply.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for anxiety and insomnia. The Veteran's current diagnoses include degenerative disc disease, which is found to have begun during service, and anxiety and insomnia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not clear and unmistakable, and thus must be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder were rated at 30 percent prior to September 1, 2015, and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to pending appeals for increased evaluations and service connection.