Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, satisfied with the October 2013 rating decision that increased his PTSD disability rating from 0% to 70%

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, are not etiologically related to active service. The preponderance of the competent and credible evidence of record is against a finding that any current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in or is related to active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Cold sores have been diagnosed since service and are attributed to herpes simplex type 1. Service connection has been established for psoriasis, but no service connection has been granted for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, dysthymic disorder, and MDD was denied. The claim for initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection for GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, as well as psoriasis, has been granted. The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Service connection for cold sores/herpes, peripheral vestibular disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, joint pain in the hips, knees, elbows, fingers, toes, neck, and spine (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), muscle pain in the neck and upper and lower back (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder claimed as due to Gulf War illness, and sleep disturbances claimed as due to Gulf War illness have also been granted. The 60 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis has been restored.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a social and industrial survey to assess his combined impact of service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of depressive disorder, bilateral pes planus, hypothyroidism, and a bilateral shin disability during her hearing. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeals on several issues have been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative requested to withdraw these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, anxiety, and depression is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, and depression related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain private treatment records, personnel records, and VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability is being reviewed due to his claimed exposure in Korea, but no specific unit was assigned as exposed to herbicides.

The Board found no evidence of in-service stressors or service connection for PTSD and anxiety. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder, were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in the development of facts pertinent to his claims, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines and for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) are pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues are related as they both involve peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied this claim. The spine disability claim remains pending.