Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder was granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection is pending further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was incurred in active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his time in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive and anxiety disorders have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since November 1, 2016.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD during the appeal period. The evidence supports diagnoses of panic disorder with agoraphobia and depressive disorder NOS, but there is conflicting medical evidence as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS was granted a 30 percent disability rating effective November 23, 2009. The RO increased the rating to 100 percent effective May 18, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his psychoneurosis was granted, with an effective date of February 8, 2012. The disability rating is now at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a left wrist condition were denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or current diagnosis, respectively. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of an anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder are related to symptoms experienced during active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent and in excess of 30 percent from September 15, 2010 for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but did not approximate total occupation and social impairment. The initial rating of 70 percent was granted from December 1, 2008 to October 20, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service and obtain relevant medical records. The claims for service connection and TDIU will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression associated with TBI was granted a 50% rating, effective August 11, 2011. The RO also granted an increased initial rating of 70% for PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder in December 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression, anxiety disorder, and cognitive disorders are related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The service connection issue remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety, NOS, finding that the Veteran's current anxiety is related to his active duty. The TDIU issue will be remanded after the anxiety evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 12, 2011. The VA examiner found that the Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, hypervigilance, difficulty in understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and OCD is rated at 50 percent prior to January 7, 2011, and at 70 percent beginning on that date. The Veteran also has a separate rating of 60 percent for his alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.