Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is REMANDED for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, and whether they are related to military service. Additionally, the case is also REMANDED for a VA esophageal examination to determine the nature and etiology of GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression with insomnia and anxiety, was denied as there is no evidence of a link between the claimed condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of a left ear hearing loss disability or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder have been manifested by symptoms indicative of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10% prior to February 7, 2013.,PTSD and anxiety disorder are rated at 70% from January 29, 2009 to prior to February 22, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression) are all denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or any other disability related to his military service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the case can be adjudicated, including obtaining a new VA examination to address all of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and whether any are related to an in-service personal assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depression and anxiety disorder are related to his military service, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, is related to his service. The claim for TDIU will be remanded as it cannot be adjudicated without a rating assigned for the psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and an anxiety disorder related to his military service in Vietnam is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood to include Somatization Disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and anxiety disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show a relationship to service. His hepatitis C rating remained at 20 percent, with no new information provided that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been remanded due to the inextricability of issues with SMC eligibility. The Board will consider entitlement on an extra-schedular basis under special provisions and may also address SMC if applicable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to support a stressor related to in-service personal assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a confirmed stressor.