Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia, are not related to his period of service. The evidence shows that he experienced anxiety and anger in service but did not have any diagnosed mental health conditions at that time. His current diagnoses were first noted many years after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for mitral valve prolapse and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied both claims as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is needed in order to properly adjudicate the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. This includes obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an advisory medical opinion.

The Veteran's daughter, C. B., has been diagnosed with scoliosis, anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, she was not shown to have been permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a mental or physical condition prior to attaining the age of 18 years.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder, NOS and PTSD based on MST. The Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety disorder and PTSD are found to be related to her in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and missing information in the Veteran's claim file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by a spontaneous rupture of an aortic aneurysm, which the Board finds is related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment in most areas, with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, suspiciousness, irritability, sleep and memory impairment, disturbances of mood and motivation, and obsessional rituals. The disability more nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorders did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to service. The Veteran's TBI claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a head injury in service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of the medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board found that the reduction in ratings was improper and restored the original 70% rating for Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder as of May 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, was granted. The claims for service connection for disabilities of the left hip and shoulder were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder likely precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to the lack of continuous total disability rating for at least ten years prior to his death. The Veteran had multiple disabilities, but they were rated as separate conditions and did not meet the criteria for a single condition that would qualify him for a 100% combined evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and information from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and her nonservice-connected PTSD and GAD. The TDIU claim cannot be resolved without first reaching a determination as to the appropriate evaluation for the Veteran's depressive disorder.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has identified several in-service stressors and is requesting further verification of one incident involving a fellow GI bringing back a live shell from the battlefield.