Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip condition and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression/anxiety). However, the claim of service connection for these conditions remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing in-service onset or a nexus between current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, which is considered a direct result of his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his time in active service and aggravation by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the May 2015 rating decision that recharacterized his service-connected anxiety disorder as PTSD and assigned a 50 percent evaluation, effective April 22, 2015.

The Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is etiologically related to his active military service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition. The acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) are also found to be related to service. However, there is no evidence of cold injury residuals.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions. The evidence shows that his current diagnoses are related to his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and his depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder are not related to service or any incident therein. As such, service connection is denied.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to service or his service-connected asbestosis. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the increased rating claim for hypertension with headaches as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as increased ratings for his lower back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The issue of TDIU was raised but not decided.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from April 23, 2008. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted and the claim for TDIU prior to April 6, 2012, was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after all actions are completed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to be caused at least in part by his hepatitis B, which he contracted as a result of negligent administration of a colonoscopy. As the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether this condition is caused by hepatitis B, and given the Veteran's service connection for hepatitis B, compensation for an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to hepatitis B is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and a depressed mood, but denied service connection for insomnia. The Veteran is also granted a noncompensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the left middle finger.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, ear disability, and acne keloiditis of the posterior head was granted. A compensable rating (10%) was assigned for acne keloiditis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding her current employment status and annual income, as well as the need for a functional assessment of her service-connected psychiatric disability.