Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder NOS and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, are not shown to be etiologically related to his active duty service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is not related to his time in service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder prior to January 24, 2017, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected headaches. The effective date for TDIU was also not granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was shown to warrant a 10 percent rating March 28, 2016, but no earlier. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.,The weight of the competent evidence of record is against a finding that the Veteran has depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this condition. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to obtain additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and panic disorder were found to have its clinical onset during his period of active service. The claim for PTSD was denied as the Veteran did not meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent since February 3, 2000.,Effective from February 3, 2000, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent since July 7, 2016.,Prior to July 7, 2016, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (other than gastroesophageal reflux disease) to include as secondary to anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders (COPD and asthma) are not related to his active service, as they are more likely due to his history of smoking.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his migraine headaches and heat injury residuals, have been granted. He is now rated at 70% for the latter condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and anxiety, is denied because there is no credible evidence of onset during service and the stressors are not corroborated.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety) has been manifested by symptoms resulting in total occupational and social impairment for the entire period on appeal.,Entitlement to TDIU prior to March 19, 2010 is moot due to the 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 16, 2013. The disability was found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but without more severe functional limitations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine her current psychiatric diagnosis and its etiology. The TDIU claim is deferred pending resolution of the acquired psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.