Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (other than substance-induced anxiety disorder). The claim for left elbow disability was not reopened. Service connection on direct incurrence basis is legally precluded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be incurred in and caused by his active duty service.,While the Veteran has hypertension, it was not proximately caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for blackouts/syncope, headaches, and anxiety disorder as they are not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depressive features is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders did not manifest in service and are not otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. His anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his initial grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and cardiomyopathy. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety/depression, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation and he had been substantially and gainfully employed for at least twelve months, with only temporary interruptions. Therefore, his TDIU benefits were properly discontinued as of October 1, 2014.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since August 1, 2011. The current rating is considered appropriate given the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder with TBI residuals, to include cognitive disorder, have been rated at 70 percent since January 16, 2009. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in January 2010. Service connection is granted for bilateral wrist and ankle disorders but not for bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than depressive disorder), to include PTSD, prior to a Board decision. As such, the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's acquired mental and cognitive disorders, NOS, residual of TBI have been rated at 50 percent prior to September 7, 2011.,Since September 7, 2011, the Veteran has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety have been reopened, but service connection has not been established. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive and anxiety disorders are directly related to his service, specifically his in-service left wrist injury. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and determine its etiology, including considering his long history of alcoholism.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The appeal was granted to reopen the claim based on new evidence.