Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as an unspecified anxiety disorder, is related to his active military service and grants this claim. The sinus disorder issue remains pending.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and VA rehabilitation records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including consideration of the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depressive features was rated at 30 percent prior to May 19, 2013 and granted a higher rating of 50 percent from that date. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of all current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a current psychiatric disability, likely PTSD or another acquired psychiatric condition. Service connection is also established for sleep apnea. The claim for cluster headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired anxiety disorder, to include PTSD, is manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as: impaired short-term memory; anger; anxiety; depressed mood; and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizures and psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD, are not related to military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with depression is rated at 50 percent effective July 5, 2011. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status as the maximum schedular rating has not been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected, as they are linked to his in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity during active service in Iraq. The Veteran's vestibular disorder is also service-connected due to a TBI sustained during service. Sinusitis and rhinitis with coughing have been found to be related to exposure to burn pits while serving in Balad, Iraq.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a left wrist condition have been granted. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder has also been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, began in service during an uncontrolled dive of his submarine. The claim is granted as service connection is warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including pedophilia, adjustment disorder, dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression, are at least as likely as not related to service. However, the skin cancer is not etiologically related to service.