Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, characterized as PTSD and anxiety, has been rated at 70 percent since the beginning of the appeal period.,For migraine headaches, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent after November 28, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, which is found to be related to his active duty. However, the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) was denied as there is no credible evidence supporting a verified in-service stressor or fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The VA examiner found that the identified stressors would satisfy the criteria for PTSD stressors but did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, which are being evaluated on their own merits.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied service connection. The Veteran's hypertension was also not granted as the rating assigned is at the minimum level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify in-service stressors, and provide a VA examination for his right foot pain and psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not shown to be present during active military service and has not otherwise been shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a direct relationship between his sleep apnea and service-connected migraine headaches.,The Veteran does not manifest PTSD.,The Veteran's depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and unspecified insomnia disorder are aggravated by service-connected migraines.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 19, 2012 at Chambersburg Hospital were reimbursed as the treatment was for an emergency condition related to his service-connected bipolar disorder and a side effect of propranolol.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and clarify the nature of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right leg thrombophlebitis and pleural adhesions with pulmonary emboli, contributed substantially or materially to his death from cardiogenic shock. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the prior severance of service connection for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was improper, and thus restored service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be adjudicated again based on this new evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the ratings of generalized anxiety disorder with obsessive compulsive disorder and lower back disc herniation with left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA examiner found no current psychiatric diagnosis but noted previous diagnoses of anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder (previously Dysthymia with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks) is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating, as it does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including investigating Private D.F.'s service record and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder present at any time since May 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety is related to his period of active military service.