Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder, finding that the March 18, 2010 decision was proper as it considered new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as well as his hypertension. The claims will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and acquired psychiatric conditions, including non-specific depression disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Veteran's bipolar and anxiety disorders are manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood and disturbances of motivation and mood, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The criteria for a higher evaluation have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and has been diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of such in-service or post-service records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD or anxiety disorder. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety disorder and depression, based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no question of fact or law to decide regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, as it had already been granted in a June 2017 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, did not originate during active service or as a result of his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including the submission of a VA Form 21-8940 and consideration of his service-connected disabilities in determining whether he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed mood) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition during service and no credible supporting evidence showing the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The Board has determined that the issues on appeal should be characterized as set forth in the title page and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's mood and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues on appeal are related to his depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right hip iliotibial band syndrome.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and aggravated by his military duties. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to July 8, 2014 and a TDIU was not granted prior to that date.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective May 1, 2013. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including panic disorder without agoraphobia, was not caused or aggravated by her active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her acquired psychiatric disorder prior to March 17, 2014 was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for her stress fractures of the lower extremities and TDIU or SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.