Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the Board denied his claims for increased ratings and effective dates.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability did not begin in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Veteran does not have PTSD, but has been diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder, Depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding cervical dysplasia. The remaining issues have not been granted as service connection is denied for ulcerative colitis, chronic respiratory disorder, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left arm paresthesia, pancreas disorder, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability found, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. The AOJ should also obtain all outstanding VA treatment records from the Silver Spring Vet Center.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of stressor verification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and for a higher initial rating for anxiety disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for the cause of his death. The Veteran was not found to have had occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to his anxiety disorder, and his service-connected conditions were not determined to be a principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a non-initial rating of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis prior to July 15, 2015. He also received a non-initial rating of 30 percent for his status post left total knee replacement with osteoarthritis from September 1, 2016 and thereafter. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee disability, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence in his VA records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms have been related to his active duty service, and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he should be granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and issuing new medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is found to be attributable to his in-service combat service stressors and granted.

The Veteran's personality disorder is not service-connected as it was present prior to service and did not worsen during service. The acquired psychiatric disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder with depression and anxiety, are also not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records from identified facilities and ensuring all necessary information has been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his stressor allegations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, service personnel records and an appropriate examination to determine if any of the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to his service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, and denied his claims for service connection for a back condition, cervical condition, PTSD, and major depressive disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back condition, a cervical condition, PTSD, and major depressive disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining records of psychiatric treatment and scheduling a mental health examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or other psychiatric disability, and whether it is due to an in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal in January 2018.