Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GERD, right and left knee disabilities, and ED are all found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of her claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain inpatient treatment records from his military hospitalization and to conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of his varicose veins. The Veteran also needs additional development regarding allegations of in-service assaults and head injuries.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has resulted in no more than occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board found that the July 27, 2013 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD with anxiety, hypertension, heart attack, back condition, left leg pain, and diabetes did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical evaluations and the need for further development of the Veteran's employment history. The appeal is now pending with the AOJ.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities resulting from a colonoscopy and subsequent care in October 2012 at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. The Board finds that further examination and development are needed to determine if these conditions were caused by VA's treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and social anxiety was rated at 70 percent disabling since September 10, 2007 through April 29, 2015. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms as per the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment, are related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, separate service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence with alcohol-induced sleep disorder are related to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed depression and chronic anxiety is rated at 70 percent prior to May 4, 2010. A higher rating of more than 70 percent is denied for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been rated at the highest available level (70%) since July 1, 2009. The Board found that his symptoms warrant this rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore, there is no valid claim for service connection. However, the Veteran's dysthymia with generalized anxiety disorder is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim was reopened and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his reported stressors and obtain private treatment records. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's statements and testimony do not establish that he engaged in combat with the enemy, nor did his service records corroborate any such exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection as PTSD or a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, foot disorders, knee disorders, ankle disorder, and headache disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.