Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower extremity neurological disability in April 2007. New and material evidence has been submitted, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a neurological disability of his lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include a skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition, back condition and migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, personality disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's anxiety is due to service and grants service connection for an Anxiety Disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD, is found to be related to his service experiences. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of service-connected headache disorder and review of the claims for anxiety and depression with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, left breast gynecomastia, and shortness of breath.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was rated at 50 percent prior to July 29, 2013.,Since July 29, 2013, the rating has been increased to 70 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability and therefore, service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arterial hypertension is moot due to its grant. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, PTSD, and allergic rhinitis have all been found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD (previously diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia and insomnia to include anxiety) due to sexual assault has been productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a continuation of the 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's initial ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and cervical muscle strain were granted. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are related to her military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's mood disorder, not otherwise specified, with features of depression and anxiety, was manifested by symptoms that more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability. The initial rating of 50 percent has been granted effective October 16, 2008.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum 50% disability rating. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is reopened and new evidence supports a finding that his current psychiatric condition more likely than not began in military service.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing regarding his claim of reopening service connection for anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed substantially to his death from an acute intracerebral hemorrhage due to deep vein thrombosis. The appeal is denied.