Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, lung and spleen disabilities, anemia with Crohn's disease, G-6-PD deficiency, bilateral knee disability, traumatic arthritis of the left hip, pes planus, and generalized anxiety disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and service personnel records. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including an assessment of whether any current left shoulder disability or psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or continuous symptoms, and his lay statements were found to be not credible.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders and low back disability are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea (as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder were all granted service connection. The Veteran was assigned a noncompensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss and is entitled to an initial schedular rating of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and vertigo. The claim for service connection for anxiety was denied as there is no diagnosed condition separate from his already service-connected cognitive impairment or dementia due to Parkinson's disease. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no currently diagnosed disability. The claim for vertigo remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information and need for further development, including verification of service in Korea and review of private treatment records.

The Veteran's bruxism is at least in part due to his service-connected anxiety disorder, and the Board grants service connection for residuals of bruxism.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, memory loss, and sleep problems, originated during his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than major depression with undifferentiated somatoform disorder. The Veteran's private physician diagnosed him with anxiety in the 1980s, and a VA examination was conducted to determine its nature and etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a TDIU due to incomplete records, need for another examination, and inextricability of the issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depressive neurosis and/or anxiety disorder, is manifested by near continuous depression affecting effective daily functioning. The Board has granted a 70% rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. The Veteran's current anxiety disorder is found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and alcohol dependence, are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, was aggravated by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is related to service. The secondary substance abuse disorders are also considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice of a change in his hearing request. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for dysthymic disorder. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to have originated in service, while his personality disorder is found to have been aggravated by service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.