Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and missing examination reports.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with sub-threshold PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 15, 2012. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar scoliosis were denied. The claim seeking a compensable rating for MDD remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and concluded that his psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. The Board finds that a higher initial disability rating for anxiety disorder is not warranted as there is no evidence of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The remaining issues are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD. Further examination by a VA board-certified psychiatrist is required.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder due to MST. The issues of service connection for migraine headaches and residuals of a bilateral ankle injury are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety reaction, major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his increased rating claim and TDIU claim, as both issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is service-connected, and his jaw disabilities (bruxism and temporomandibular joint arthritis) are found to be secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.,A disability rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and degenerative disc space narrowing has been granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms, while present and significant, do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent. The evidence shows occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to anxiety, but no more severe impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD and Schizophreniform Disorder with Paranoia (also claimed as severe depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder).,However, the claim remains on appeal as new evidence does not establish service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, a major depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder, is found to be incurred in service. Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected organic heart disease with mitral regurgitation is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for his right knee disability and distal index finger disability. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to service or due to any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his active service. The claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the lack of verified stressors.

The Board finds that the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of broken nose, and thus grants service connection on a secondary basis.