Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 10, 2012 were reimbursed as the emergency treatment was provided for a service-connected disability (chronic kidney disease and heart problems).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are found to be due to his active naval service and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and whether any psychiatric disability is related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in most cases, with the exception of chronic rhinosinusitis.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection. The left knee disability claim is pending.

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 will be reconsidered based on the new evidence obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disorder related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate April 2013 VA examination and a need to clarify its conclusions.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and denied the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was not reopened. The left foot Lisfranc sprain is rated at 10 percent, and the lumbar strain remains at 20 percent. No new rating has been granted for right or acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression, relates to service. The claim is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia, are at least as likely as not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board has been granted, and he is scheduled for a travel board hearing. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, including cognitive impairment and emotional/behavioral dysfunction, are rated at a 40 percent rating. The Veteran has level 2 cognitive impairment secondary to mild memory loss, attention, concentration, and executive dysfunction.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's right ankle disability is now considered incurred in service, while her claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending due to the submission of new stressor allegations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The reduction in his anxiety disorder rating from 50% to noncompensable was found to be improper due to procedural errors and the failure to consider applicable regulations.

The Veteran's tinnitus as likely as not began during service and is granted. The issue of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder results in reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The other issues of entitlement to TDIU were granted.