Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to PTSD and issuing a supplemental statement of the appeal (SSOC) addressing the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations of his psychiatric disorders, lumbar strain, right ring and little finger degenerative joint disease, left shoulder tendonitis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle strain, and left foot plantar fasciitis from February 1, 2010 to September 6, 2011 were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence, including a lack of SSA records and VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected due to noise exposure during active duty. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and IHD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on service, and his generalized anxiety disorder is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD are denied as the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her service treatment records, specifically from the Oakland Naval Regional Medical Center and Tripler Army Hospital. The AOJ will conduct a thorough search for these records and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including a cognitive disorder, organic anxiety disorder, and dementia), and hearing loss are all related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the other remanded issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the Veteran's claim to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD, effective date earlier than November 16, 2007, and service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis. The appeal was dismissed.

The July 6, 2006 decision denied service connection for various conditions including depression, tinnitus, stroke, colon cancer, gastrointestinal problems (irritable bowel syndrome), and Type II diabetes mellitus. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as there was no increase in his service-connected anxiety disorder within the one-year period prior to his May 7, 2008, date of claim. The effective date remains at May 7, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and incompetent cervix are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, did not manifest until years after active service and are unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for his GAD were denied. The effective date of the initial grant of service connection for GAD was not changed, and he did not receive a higher rating before April 26, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, are not related to his military service and denied his claim.