Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder remains in appellate status and requires additional development to determine the etiology of any diagnosed anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood was granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent effective June 3, 2015. Service connection for low back and neck disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for increased evaluation for his anxiety disorder and service connection for substance abuse, which is secondary to the anxiety disorder. The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to adjudicate his request and issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is rated at 60 percent, effective June 8, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms of the service-connected atrial fibrillation meet the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU, and his employment with the Albany DMV is considered substantially gainful employment rather than marginal employment in a protected environment. Therefore, he does not qualify for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is service connected, as it had its onset in service and there is a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, neck trauma and lower back conditions. The Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination regarding his right eye condition.

The Board has determined that the case is inextricably intertwined and must be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hypertension examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues on appeal are whether service connection can be established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a skin disability, or bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, are found to be related to events during his service. After resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's other specified and stressor-related disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety is granted, rated at 30 percent prior to August 26, 2015 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted as related to service noise exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 3, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 27, 2012. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms, which include depression, occasional suicidal ideation, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sleep impairment, and auditory hallucinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if any identified acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or due to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for this condition.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnoses, had its onset in service or is otherwise due to service.