Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the appellant's complete service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA disability benefits records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the Veteran failing to report to a scheduled VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, singly or in combination, are not so severe as to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience. The Board finds that the Veteran is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment given his educational and occupational history.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia secondary to PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence, is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, verifying alleged stressor events, and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnoses of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as the need for updated VA medical records.

The Board finds that the reduction of the rating for Generalized Anxiety Disorder from 70% to 50%, effective March 1, 2010 was not in accordance with law. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are currently indicative of no more than occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to a personal assault while in service. The evidence now includes a criminal investigation report of the alleged assault and a nexus statement from her treating nurse practitioner. The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are likely related to this assault.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with OCD and Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since November 23, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are granted, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant. The decision is based on the evidence showing a link between her military experiences and these psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of alleged stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing private treatment records and issue an SOC for the claims of service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the increased disability ratings for anxiety disorder and dermatitis before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case to consider new evidence and conduct a new examination due to the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection, but the rating for his psychiatric disability has not met the criteria for a higher than 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, except for a brief period when he was assigned a combined disability rating of 100 percent. The effective date for the TDIU is January 16, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and second degree burn scars related to his active duty service is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining complete service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and granted it. The claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending.