Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board found that a major depressive disorder incurred during service is entitled to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including unspecified anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder, are not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that a new TBI examination is necessary to clarify whether the Veteran has residuals of his inservice head trauma and, if so, what such residuals are. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, is not service connected as it did not manifest during or due to active military service. The Board finds that the Veteran's depression and anxiety are already contemplated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for anxiety disorder NOS, and has assigned a compensable rating for his scars. The remaining issues have been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar II disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder (also claimed as depression) resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity during the period from October 29, 1999, through June 1, 2010.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder as residual of anoxic brain injury and occipital neuralgia (headaches) have been rated based on their service-connected status, while his sleep apnea has a separate rating. The lower extremity hyperreflexia does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including addressing a possible secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and increased rating remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with depression is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a decision based on clear and unmistakable error due to insufficient allegations of error in the January 2014 decision regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety reaction have been rated at 50 percent since February 3, 2012. The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for hypertension effective August 28, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and mood disorder. The case is being remanded to allow for a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including depression and ADD/ADHD, were not incurred or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claim was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting acquired psychiatric disorder, denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as the Veteran does not have a current PTSD diagnosis that conforms to DSM-V, and concluded that his other diagnosed psychiatric disorders did not manifest during or as a result of active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxiety, has not been etiologically linked to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and non-VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been granted, effective from June 27, 2011. The other issues have not been resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including variously diagnosed conditions such as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was incurred during his active service.