Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, PTSD, and MDD has been granted. As a result, the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders and sleep disorder, as well as verify his alleged stressors. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided that additional development is required due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the appellant's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10% prior to February 25, 2017. Since then, the evaluation has been increased to 70%. The current rating reflects significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including OCD, PTSD, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service stressors or a nexus between current diagnoses and military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and stress is granted as the evidence shows that his condition was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and coronary artery disease were evaluated, but the Board found that neither condition warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, low back disability, or hypertension. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1973 rating decision that granted service connection for anxiety reaction, chronic with depression, conversion, and headaches. The January 2001 rating decision which changed the diagnostic code to PTSD under Diagnostic Code 9411 did not include a reference to headaches or assign a separate rating for them.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 30 percent prior to August 7, 2013, and increased to 50 percent on or after that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for either period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor and grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for generalized anxiety disorder with depression is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including left ear hearing loss, PTSD, DJD with supraspinatus tendon tear in the left shoulder, laceration right wrist with ulnar neuropathy and degenerative changes, and bilateral tinnitus.,The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent effective November 1, 2010. This rating is based on his symptoms of depression, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.

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

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU are being addressed.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA examination and additional private treatment records, as well as to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of dental trauma and/or TMJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran claimed he experienced stressors related to Vietnam service but VA determined there was no combat service in Vietnam and insufficient evidence to verify his reported stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder, was not incurred in or the result of his service, to include as secondary to a service-connected skin disability. The preponderance of evidence indicates that the condition is unrelated to his military service.