Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a VA mental health opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The current issue is whether any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is being remanded due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was incurred in service and is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including dysthymia, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD), diagnosed as major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is found to be as likely as not attributable to his service. The claim for service connection for PTSD is moot due to the overlap with his already established service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD, was not shown during service or to be associated with her active service. Her headache condition has also not been linked to her military service.

The Veteran's right elbow epicondylitis and psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) are not service connected. The Board found that the right elbow epicondylitis is less likely related to his service-connected right ring finger condition, while the psychiatric disorder does not meet the criteria for a diagnosed mental health condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is manifested by depression, anxiety, and an explosive disorder. The medical opinions are in relative equipoise regarding whether these conditions were incurred during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD under the applicable criteria and thus, service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's current mental health diagnoses are found to be related to his physical health problems rather than to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his in-service experiences, and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his sleep apnea, left shoulder disabilities, and scar condition.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claimed stressor events.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and antisocial personality disorder, is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the current nature, severity, and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to this decision.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is rated at 70 percent, effective from August 21, 2012. His migraines are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has also determined that the Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, produce sufficient impairment to make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.