Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is found to be secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and depression has been granted, effective from February 23, 2009.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, respiratory problems, and depression with anxiety prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran died from anoxic brain injury due to aspiration of vomit while under the influence of multiple medications taken for chronic pain, which as likely as not resulted from service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The Board finds that service connection is granted for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified. The Veteran's personality disorder is not considered a disease or injury under VA law and regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current acquired psychiatric disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a generalized anxiety disorder, is not service connected.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not meet the criteria for service connection. The preponderance of evidence indicated his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders were not present in service or for many years thereafter, and were not shown to be etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the requested development has not been completed and has therefore remanded the case for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as other specified anxiety disorder, is related to service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety NOS and PTSD is manifested by symptoms consistent with occupational and social impairment that involves a reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an initial rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and further development of evidence related to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including his claimed PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with features of PTSD, now diagnosed as PTSD, is rated at 10 percent prior to July 17, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD with secondary depressive disorder and anxiety, granting his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to his request.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD and has also granted him service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence provided since the previous denial in 2007.