Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for psoriasis or service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's GAD has been granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective January 29, 2014. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and residuals of prostate cancer have been established as a result of herbicide exposure in service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is also established as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined rating is at least 40 percent, but he does not have one disability rated at 60% or more. The adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has resulted in no more than mild to moderate occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service aboard USS Dubuque and identification of verified stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are to be evaluated in light of their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and major depression with dysthymia, is found to be related to service. The Veteran's liver transplant disability was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's GAD has caused symptoms consistent with occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing updated VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's son is not considered permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday, and thus does not meet the criteria for helpless child benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected as it did not develop during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence linking the condition to his time in service.,His erectile dysfunction and psychiatric disorders are also not service-connected, with the Board finding that the primary disability (prostate cancer) is not connected to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in March 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression and thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disorder, and right knee degenerative joint disease (including DM) and sleep apnea. The Veteran's obesity was found to be a substantial factor in the development of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety was remanded due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the claimed stressor. The case is now being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety, and depression. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his in-service stressor and a VA examination.

The Board has expanded the issue to include an acquired psychiatric disability, as indicated by the Veteran in his original claim and in conformance with the Federal Circuit's decision in Clemmons v. West, 206 F.3d 1401, 1403 (Fed. Cir. 2000). The appeal is REMANDED to attempt to obtain additional treatment records, military records, and verify in-service stressors.