Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his left shoulder, left elbow, cervical spine disabilities and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, as well as reopening of several previously denied claims. The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric and psychological examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorders) and low back disability are currently on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has determined that a hearing should be scheduled at the earliest opportunity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated examination to assess the severity of his depressive disorder with anxiety and asthma/COPD. His TDIU claim prior to July 2009 remains pending.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder is an additional disability that was superimposed on his congenital avoidant personality disorder during military service, and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are caused by his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has not been productive of more than occupational and social impact with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as impairment of short-term memory; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining social relationships; slow motor skills; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; sleep impairment; and anxiety. The current rating of 50% is therefore appropriate.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The symptoms include depression, anger, irritability, suicidal ideation, panic attacks, and sleep impairment due to nightmares.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative joint disease and acquired psychiatric disability were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, a panic disorder depression, an adjustment disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The TDIU issue is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and further medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion regarding her psychiatric conditions. The AOJ will review the claims folder to ensure all requested development has been completed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a present psychiatric disability, specifically anxiety disorder and PTSD. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression NOS, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. The Board also denied service connection for an abnormal leg movement disability, claimed as restless leg syndrome, due to the lack of evidence showing it was related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cervical spine DJD is granted. The Board finds that arthritis in the Veteran's cervical spine was manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, warranting service connection.

For the period prior to May 13, 2014, the Veteran's anxiety disorder caused significant occupational and social impairment.,Effective May 13, 2014, his condition was rated at 100 percent due to a progression of his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and cause of the appellant's claimed disabilities, including whether they occurred during active duty service or other periods for which she would be entitled to compensation as a veteran.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and impairment, but granted a higher rating for other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.