Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his anxiety disorder does not cause more than intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since March 22, 2012. The Board has also granted TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions, or that any such disabilities are causally related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are causally related to the Veteran's military service. The issues on appeal include entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, PAD, RLS, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety and depression, is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with anxiety disorder has been withdrawn by his representative.,The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since October 10, 2015.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, and bipolar disorder, type II are found to be related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as impaired affect, memory issues, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and disturbances in motivation and mood. The Board found that the criteria for a 50 percent rating were met.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression have been rated at 50 percent since July 30, 1981 to July 15, 1996.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder with insomnia and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of hearing requests. The issues include an increased rating for anxiety, SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status, and a higher rate of SMC.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a verified PTSD stressor related to his military service and that his current bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety are not shown by the medical evidence of record to be related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding psychiatric disabilities other than alcohol use disorder and personality disorder, as well as a need for further examination. The appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.