Anxiety decisions — 2016

During the period from September 24, 2000 to July 27, 2009, the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depression, and muscular tenderness of unclear etiology) more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,During the pendency of the appeal, service connection was established for cognitive dysfunction, status post TBI, effective July 27, 2009. The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her service-connected psychiatric disorder and for a TDIU were received by VA on September 24, 2001.

The Board has determined that the July 1979 and April 1980 rating decisions denying service connection for anxiety reaction and schizophrenia contained CUE. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is now considered to be related to his service-connected right wrist disability, as evidenced by new evidence submitted since the August 1995 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's diagnosed anxiety disorder NOS and depression are at least as likely as not related to his period of active duty, and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as an anxiety disorder and a major depressive disorder, are related to his service-connected low back disability. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathies are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety, and depression are related to his service in Vietnam. The Veteran's stressors during service have been confirmed by his service records, and he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on his reported experiences. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, did not originate in service or within one year thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, left ankle, and psychiatric disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Chronic Depression and Anxiety, which the Board finds to be related to his service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the inadequacy of his most recent VA examination and potential changes in his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and combined it with the already service-connected anxiety disorder. The Veteran's representative filed a NOD appealing the initial disability ratings assigned for the anxiety disorder with PTSD, and the RO issued an August 2016 rating decision granting a TDIU retroactively effective from October 14, 2015. A remand is necessary to ensure proper duty-to-assist notice and VA examinations are provided.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to address the claimed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issue of service connection will be reconsidered based on the examination results and any additional evidence.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety disorder, NOS that are as likely as not related to his military service. The Board finds the evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a medical opinion to assess the functional limitations of his anxiety disorder and all service-connected disabilities in combination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a higher initial rating of 70 percent as of February 22, 2009.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss were granted service connection. The Veteran was assigned a 50% disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss beginning on November 14, 2014.

The Board has requested a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his already service-connected back disability. The current VA examinations are inadequate and need to be supplemented with an opinion regarding the stressors of PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his active military service.