Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The diagnoses are now considered to be an anxiety disorder, which was not present in service or until many years thereafter.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is found to be related to his active duty service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety is granted as service connected, and the issue of service connection for headaches on a secondary basis to his service-connected back disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current schizophrenia, paranoid type, with depression and anxiety had its onset in service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's thoracic spine, left shoulder, left knee, left ankle, right ankle/foot, eye, stomach, leg numbness, and heart disabilities are not service-connected. The psychiatric disability is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inclusion of VA treatment records dated between February and August 2017 in the claims file. The case will be readjudicated, with all relevant evidence considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a gastrointestinal condition, to include secondary to his service-connected Crohn's disease, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current mental health conditions to his in-service experiences.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of VA treatment records, particularly those from January 2018 and February 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, bipolar disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a new opinion regarding the relationship between his current disorders and in-service stressors.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted as of December 23, 2009. The Board also dismissed all other claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal during his February 2018 hearing.

The Veteran's hypertension and renal dysfunction associated with it are granted initial ratings of 10% and 30%, respectively, effective June 7, 2011. Service connection for an anxiety disorder is also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as service connection for PTSD, were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for the Veteran's tinnitus. No compensable evaluation was granted for his bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection for PTSD could not be established based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxiety, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service.,The Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during active service and is not attributable to any aspect of service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for Meniere's disease, anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a shell fragment wound are dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn these claims.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted from April 7, 1998 to January 29, 2008.

The Veteran's anxiety and hypertension disorders are currently being considered for service connection, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to properly assess these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety was denied. The Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond February 1, 2011, based on the need for convalescence following right patellar realignment surgery on December 27, 2010, was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, anxiety and panic disorder without agoraphobia, and depressive disorder are of service origin and grants service connection for these conditions.