Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, categorized as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder with alcohol dependence, is rated at 70 percent since December 21, 2015. The claim for higher ratings on the right and left knee disorders, and earlier effective date for TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The VA examiner found that his symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability during the Veteran's service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion and considering the TDIU claim in light of any service connection decisions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide the case.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, vertigo (dizziness), recurrent headaches due to head injuries, and hypertension. These conditions are all considered service-connected as they are deemed to have originated during his active duty.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, vertigo, recurrent headaches, and hypertension.

The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder, as his symptoms are related to combat stressors during his service.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his service, granting service connection for this condition. The claim for pruritus diaphoresis was not supported by evidence linking it to herbicide exposure or service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and major depression are aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and quadruple bypass surgery. Therefore, secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at the date of receipt of his reopened claim on February 2, 2009.,Both right shoulder and lower back disabilities were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the January 2007 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and Social Security Administration records. The Board will then review the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which was originally filed in March 2009.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD and depressive disorder), including adjustment disorder with anxiety, is not service connected as it is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. Night sweats are also not service connected as they are attributed to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with bulging disc, taking into account functional impairment. The appeal for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder was denied by the Board, with a conclusion that his symptoms did not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an enlarged prostate with increased PSA and for a psychiatric disorder were denied as the evidence did not support direct service connection, without any presumption or secondary basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is rated at the highest available rating of 50% due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, back disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension.