Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective the date of claim. The left knee chondromalacia is rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and dysthymia, did not have a direct link to his military service. The evidence does not support an in-service stressor or show that any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including those seeking service connection for various conditions and disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to further consider these matters.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the above issues, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent evaluation prior to August 9, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on a confirmed in-service stressor or evidence of anxiety and depression having onset during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders are inextricably intertwined with her TDIU claim.

The Board has resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding that he meets the criteria for service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety. However, there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD based on verified stressors.

The Veteran's GAD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 20, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorder, is found to be related to his service. His residuals of a traumatic brain injury are also found to be related to his service. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and headaches were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder (subclinical PTSD) was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including MDD, PTSD, and anxiety disorder), sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, colon polyps, bilateral hand disorder (thumb arthritis), CTS of the upper extremities, and right ear hearing loss are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that the Veteran's claims were reopened based on new and material evidence. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying stressors and obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered after these steps.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and an addendum opinion is required. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service and/or secondary to his service-connected primary insomnia/generalized anxiety disorder. The examiner should also consider the significance of 'REM sleep' and the Veteran's weight in their opinions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 20, 2012. The evidence of record indicates that the Veteran's anxiety disorder resulted in such impairment beginning April 20, 2012. At no point during the appeal period has his service-connected anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood; total occupational and social impairment is clearly not indicated.