Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for anxiety disorder has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, is found to have begun during service. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the implementation of the grant of service connection may render it moot.

The Board has determined that there is no current psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, for which service connection can be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The evidence did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD as per DSM-IV or DSM-V.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 8, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he was incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, but did find credible evidence that the Veteran experienced traumatic events during service. However, the most persuasive medical opinion concluded he does not have PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorders, but not PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining deck logs and verifying his Reserve service. New VA examinations are also required for PTSD and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The effective date of service connection remains April 11, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to deficiencies in its reasons and bases. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% disability rating. However, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the Veteran failing to report for a scheduled VA examination. The case will be reviewed after any additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have begun in service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection. Service connection is also granted for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, as these conditions are related to his reported in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA medical records and a new examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (depression) are also being considered as they are inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the submission of new evidence. The issues on appeal include a request for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, and chronic sleep impairment have been rated at the highest available level of disability since October 29, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the specific locations and dates where his Army unit was stationed during the Persian Gulf War era.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The right and left foot cold injury residuals are both rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks and partial complex seizure disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.