Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is found to have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, which is related to his in-service stressors.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis are less likely than not caused by or resulting from military service, including his receipt of anthrax vaccination in February and March 2003.,The VA examiner also concluded that there is no link between the Veteran's anxiety disorder and his military activity (including as due to the in-service February and March 2003 anthrax vaccinations), nor can it be made with regard to aggravation of his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has remanded the case to attempt to corroborate a claimed stressor event of witnessing a vehicular accident that caused serious bodily injury to a sergeant, which ultimately resulted in the sergeant's death. The Veteran served as a truck driver with the 91st Engineering Company during the period from August 1967 to approximately August 1968.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to attempt to corroborate the in-service helicopter accident and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, finding that it was aggravated during active service. The remaining issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, skin disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral flat feet are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychophysiological gastrointestinal disturbance with duodenal ulcer is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA retrospective medical opinion regarding which of his mental disorders are attributable to his service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's service treatment records did not support his claims of in-service stressors, and thus denied his claim for service connection due to lack of evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is at least in equipoise with service connection. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed mental health disorder other than PTSD or depression, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depression is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was manifested during his period of active military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to reschedule a previously scheduled Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is therefore dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability aggravated his acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has granted a separate 50 percent disability rating for posttraumatic neuropathic migraine headaches, and the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right foot fifth metatarsal fracture is also granted. The TDIU issue remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD features has been rated at 30 percent since July 12, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include diagnoses of adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety. The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.