Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder; an eye disorder (including as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317); arthritis; a neck disorder other than arthritis; headaches; and a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, PTSD features and opioid dependence have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and nonservice-connected pension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety attacks and depression were denied. The claim for hearing loss was granted with a noncompensable rating. No new evidence was received to reopen the PTSD claim within one year of its denial in October 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional notice and evidence, as well as a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, with consideration of his history of mental trauma in service and hospitalization for heart problems.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was found to not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to March 23, 2011 and beginning from March 23, 2011. The Veteran's status post vagotomy and pyloroplasty for gastric ulcer was rated as severe.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for respiratory problems, thoracolumbar myositis and disc bulge, a skin rash, and an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The decision is mixed as some issues have been granted while others remain pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Depression, was rated at a 50 percent prior to November 2, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating in excess of 70 percent on and after November 2, 2011 has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and service connection for anxiety disorder has been granted. The Veteran does not have a current rating for his other claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Recurrent Major Depression, were incurred during his service.

The Veteran is granted restoration of service connection and a 10 percent disability rating for his anxiety disorder, as well as an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral wrist disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of meningitis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active duty service and was not incurred or aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of her claimed shin splints and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an unspecified anxiety disorder with depression and alcohol dependency is granted. Service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's subscapular bursitis of the left shoulder is rated at 20 percent since January 3, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with prior Board directives.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for residuals of fracture, left acromion process and segmental fracture and residuals of a head/brain injury. The remaining issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, major depression, anxiety, impulse control disorder) is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder. The evidence submitted since the April 1996 rating decision is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his active duty service.