Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was incurred in service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's digestive system disability, including his liver tumor with IBS, is rated at 30 percent effective January 15, 2015. His hyperlipidemia and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, including his deployment in Iraq.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder and obtaining any outstanding treatment records. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the rating claim.

The Veteran's depression, NOS with anxiety was manifested by reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 2, 2011. From May 2, 2011 to October 22, 2014, the Veteran experienced total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's chronic headaches are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder, and if any medication he takes for his anxiety disorder causes or aggravates his headaches.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent prior to May 9, 2017, and increased to 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The symptoms described do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including recurrent major depression, dysthymia and generalized anxiety with panic, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, has been rated at 50 percent since the beginning of the appeal period. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder is not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions (including anxiety and depression) will be remanded as new evidence suggests these conditions may have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a VA examination for his psychiatric disorder, as the previous examination was not conducted due to the Veteran's refusal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and to schedule a VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder did not manifest during service and is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety have been rated at 30 percent since June 5, 2003. The rating has not changed as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including an anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is not etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed psychiatric disability, to include a generalized anxiety disorder and depression, is not etiologically related to his active duty service.