Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, mood disorder, depression, and PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not show any relationship between or aggravation of any current psychiatric disorder and a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since September 30, 2010. Effective from September 30, 2010, the Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability and a TDIU effective July 3, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA Vocational Rehabilitation records, SSA records, and other relevant evidence. The issues include a claim for an increased rating for right shoulder disability, another for anxiety disorder, and one for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of newly received evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes diagnoses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are at least in equipoise with their onset during or shortly after service, thus warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a new VA examination to address service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder and dismissed the appeals of service connection for substance abuse disorder and prostate disorder. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression have been rated at 70 percent since September 5, 2012.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was initially rated at 10 percent prior to December 24, 2015 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The TDIU claim remains pending but is not yet decided.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and anxiety. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for his left wrist disability is pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant medical records and provide a new opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under the applicable criteria. The right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, leading to a denial of service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorders.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Board will then re-adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the stressors related to his claimed conditions and to obtain supporting medical documentation from SSA.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, bilateral knee disability, low sex drive, and left eye disorder were not incurred in service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service stressor.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with memory loss is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The symptoms described are consistent with a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9413.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder required the factual need for the aid and attendance of another person, from February 25, 2010, as evidenced by his cognitive impairment which regularly rendered him unable to safely prepare his own meal.