Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability and an acquired mental disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection was also granted for low back disability secondary to right knee disability.

The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service and denies the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune and anxiety disorder, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative in a March 2017 statement, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and unverified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The earliest possible effective date is November 12, 2013, as that is the date the Veteran first filed a claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder and a claim for TDIU. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining updated treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his anxiety symptoms, and giving him another opportunity to substantiate his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and a 10 percent rating was assigned. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings and earlier effective dates are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is related to his active service, and the Board grants this claim. The other mental health claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric and seizure disorders, as well as to determine if service connection can be established for these conditions. The Veteran will need to provide a correct mailing address so that he can schedule the necessary examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion from a psychiatrist to address the relationship of her diagnosed psychiatric disorders with service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, a neck disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected left thumb strain, status post old fracture deformity first metacarpal bone, entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to May 12, 2010 and granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective May 12, 2010. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as panic disorder without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and mood disorder. The sympathetic dysfunction (facial flushing with hyperpyrexia) and compensatory sweating (hyperhidrosis) are also found to be related to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were granted service connection.,Given the grant of service connection for his mental health conditions, the issue of eligibility for treatment is moot.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his combat service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his symptoms are related to combat stressors experienced during his military service.