Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service stressor involving wrongful imprisonment and interrogation.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disability, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for TMJ dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder), residuals of TBI, left hip disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and increased rating for service-connected left foot disability have been granted.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is currently rated at 70 percent, effective September 25, 2015. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicide agents and an in-service stressor. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, type II diabetes mellitus, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals in their entirety prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, is found to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain (low back) and thoracic paraspinous myofascial pain syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 21, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, an anxiety disorder, and a psychosis NOS, is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining records from JSRRC and VA eye examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, bilateral eyes, shoulders, knees, and spine are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing a VA addendum opinion. The Veteran's claim on appeal is related to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran seeks recognition of his son Z.G. as a 'helpless child' due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The Board finds that the evidence does not support this claim, as Z.G. was still considered capable of self-support at age 18.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder warrants a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's persistent adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is granted as service-connected, and a 30% disability rating has been assigned. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, right knee, bilateral hip, and back disorders are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle osteochondritis dissecans and degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted based on his reported in-service personal assaults and combat experiences.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations in the original decision. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as hypertension.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder effective February 26, 2008 and a rating of 70 percent effective April 15, 2016. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's service connection claim for cause of death, as well as his entitlement to death pension. The claims are being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA clinical psychologist.