Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting predominant symptoms such as depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 28, 2009. The rating is granted.

The Board found that the appellant's daughter, V., was not permanently incapable of self-support at the age of 18 due to a physical or mental defect. The evidence showed she had ongoing disabilities such as anxiety and ADHD but also enrolled in college.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as dementia, anxiety and major depressive disorder, was granted by the Board on June 2011. The effective date assigned is December 5, 1972.

The Board found that the Veteran's stomach disorder and anxiety disorder are not service-connected as they did not result from his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the claimed stressor could not be verified and there was no credible supporting evidence that it occurred. The Veteran's polysubstance abuse/dependence is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for various disabilities have been remanded due to the need for clarification of which psychiatric disability has been granted, new VA examinations, and consideration of TDIU prior to April 6, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, which are related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining private medical records. VA examinations will be conducted to assess current psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, seizures, and lacerations of his fingers. The decision also noted that multiple medical diagnoses or diagnoses that differ from the claimed condition do not necessarily represent wholly separate claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for hearings and notification. The claims of reopening service connection for depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was incurred during his military service and granted service connection for it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board finds that the Veteran's additional disabilities, including rhabdomyolysis and other conditions he claims are related to Zocor use, were not caused by VA's failure to exercise due care or consent. The evidence shows that the Veteran had been taking Zocor for years without incident prior to his hospitalization in 2006.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy (claimed as a seizure disorder) and a nervous condition or anxiety disorder, to include as secondary to epilepsy. New evidence received since the last final denial supports the nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's migraine headaches, her acquired psychiatric disorder, and her hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor of sexual harassment is corroborated by medical and other evidence, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted.,Service connection for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is not warranted as there was no loss of teeth due to trauma or disease during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.