Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of a psychosis within one year of separation from service.

The Board has resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder is granted. The issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was granted effective November 22, 2010. This is the earliest possible effective date as it is based on a reopened claim filed in November 2010.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left knee, cervical spine, psychiatric, and stomach surgery disabilities. The Board finds that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand nerve damage was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A new VA examination is also needed to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and anxiety, is related to his service in Iraq. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether this disability was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cough was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if he should be assigned a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying in-service stressors, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychological disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is rated at 50 percent disabling as of August 8, 2014. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired impulse control, difficulty in understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and does not have a current psychiatric disorder. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral claw foot and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and TDIU are moot.

The Veteran's claim for a total combined disability rating prior to January 9, 2007, and TDIU is denied as he was employed by the VA Regional Office in Houston, Texas until February 11, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of a claimed stressor and an updated VA psychiatric examination to determine whether the Veteran has had an acquired psychiatric disorder at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure and anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.