Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including persistent depressive disorder with anxiety and obsessive compulsive symptoms, have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, are found to be attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cardiovascular disorder and hypertension, secondary to hepatitis C, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is currently rated at 50% disabling since October 19, 2016. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70% evaluation.

The Veteran's anxiety/depressive disorder was found to not warrant a rating in excess of the initial 30 percent assigned, as his symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder was granted, with a 30 percent disability rating effective July 31, 2012. The Board also granted TDIU based on the service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder but denied service connection for bipolar disorder and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at a non-compensable level due to the symptoms not interfering with his occupational and social functioning. However, as he has been prescribed medication for it continuously during the appeal period, an initial compensable rating of 10% is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for depression, general anxiety disorder, and migraine headaches prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including ADHD, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The opinion concluded that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding in-service stressors.