Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of all psychiatric diagnoses during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not combine to a 70 percent evaluation, nor did they meet any of the criteria that would permit VA to view them as the same disability listed in Section 4.16(a). The Board finds that the Veteran was not so disabled by reason of his service-connected disabilities that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful course of employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder should not be earlier than November 19, 2008. The January 1972 rating decision denying service connection was not appealed and no new and material evidence has been received since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and type II diabetes mellitus. The RO also granted service connection for an anxiety disorder but assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective from November 22, 2010. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

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

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for bilateral knee arthritis has been dismissed as he withdrew from the appeal in October 2017. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to ensure the Veteran's claims are evaluated in full consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right eye disability, including his loss of vision in the right eye, is at least as likely as not related to service. The VA examiner opined that the acquired psychiatric disorders are also related to service and stressors associated with military service.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disabilities, foot rash and skin disorders, right knee disability, and right arm disability as they were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was granted a 70 percent rating effective May 12, 2015. The TDIU claim was also granted effective July 2, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder did not preclude him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 7, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no competent evidence linking any other mental disorder to active duty or to a service connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service and specifically to in-service sexual trauma/personal assault. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression with anxiety, ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, right leg peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and mood disorder, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or a link between current conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, but granted a TDIU effective November 20, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depression, finding that these conditions are attributable to service.,Regarding the TDIU claim, the Veteran meets the schedular requirements as of October 4, 2010. However, his combined rating is now less than 60% due to recent reductions in ratings for his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining VA psychiatric treatment records and an etiology opinion.