Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been granted a 70 percent evaluation, which is the highest schedular rating available for this condition. The sleepwalking issue remains unresolved and is considered 'unknown' in terms of service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder, are being reviewed for service connection. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle strain disability is considered service-connected. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as PTSD with anxiety disorder and major depression, meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating but not higher.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are found to be attributable to service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that was incurred in, or is otherwise the result of, his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the May 2016 VA medical opinion is inadequate and remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records from Central Alabama VA HCS, requesting SSA disability benefits decision, and providing a VA examiner with an updated review of the evidence to provide opinions on whether any previously or currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities began during service or were casually related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. The schizoaffective disorder is not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for anxiety disorder, but PTSD was not established. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and to clarify which issues from the January 2009 notice of disagreement were intended to be appealed.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work and relationships. The current evaluation of 70 percent is appropriate as it reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety Disorder NOS, and Major Depressive Disorder in remission. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his service due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity he experienced while serving in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is no evidence showing he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent since March 21, 2015. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining confirmation of the Veteran's stressor events and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, was found to be incurred as a result of active duty service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 1, 2006 through June 14, 2016 and at 70 percent from June 15, 2016. The TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from private health care providers and clarifying when each diagnosed psychiatric disability first manifested.