Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between his in-service stressors and current psychiatric disability, nor could it be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. For skin disorders, the issue remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a service-connected PTSD, an acquired non-psychotic mental disorder other than PTSD (GAD), or a psychosis NOS. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service stressors for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, have met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU since March 16, 2009. Competent evidence indicates that these conditions prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and work experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a generalized anxiety disorder, started in service and is related to his military service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have significantly impaired his ability to establish and maintain effective relationships, with occupational and social impairment. The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 50 percent is warranted for the period from February 27, 1973 to May 3, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for a hiatal hernia and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (variously diagnosed as a mood disorder, anxiety, depression, an adjustment disorder, and GAD) on the basis of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to afford the Veteran a VA psychiatric examination and to obtain service mental health clinical records and service personnel records. The examiner is asked to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability is causally related to the Veteran's service, including his diagnosis of passive dependency reaction in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not related to service and denied his claim. His chronic kidney disorder is linked to pre-service injury, familial predisposition, and post-service abuse of anabolic steroids and creatine supplements.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule her for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her hypertension, stroke (transient ischemic attack), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass grafting, as it was not due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety and depression, was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new evidence provided by a VA psychiatrist. However, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings, TDIU, and earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The appeal for a temporary total rating due to in-patient treatment is dismissed.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's anxiety disorder, effective from January 12, 2011. The decision also found that he is entitled to TDIU prior to June 30, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a February 2014 VA opinion, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was incurred during active duty and is service connected.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to a period of active duty training.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, related to his active military service.