Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a right ankle disability, allergic rhinitis, arthritis of the left leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The TDIU claim was also not addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, was etiologically related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and leg pain, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 9, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records, arrange for examinations, and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and preparing an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner to address whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for depression and anxiety, and it is denied. The Veteran's claims for PTSD are also denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent since August 26, 2014.

The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor of military sexual trauma and concluded that her current psychiatric disorders are not causally or etiologically related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder was not manifested during her active military service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to her active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) are related to his service-connected tinnitus. As a result, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with an adjustment disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to his symptoms not approximating total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder with history of PTSD, results in significant occupational and social impairment warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for panic disorder with agoraphobia, anxiety disorder, PTSD and depression. The case is remanded to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at Jackson RO.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for the adjustment disorder, as well as service connection for a right ankle and foot disability, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder and depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to April 4, 2005, and as of June 1, 2005. The current rating of 70 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to address a potential clear and unmistakable error in the August 1994 rating decision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but not by more severe symptoms such as deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment. The current rating of 30 percent is therefore appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric and leg movement disabilities.