Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cerebral accident, anxiety (non-specific nervous complaints), severe alcohol abuse, and major depression. The decision found that the Veteran's cerebral accident was due to his own willful misconduct with alcohol abuse, and that his anxiety, alcohol abuse, and major depression were not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder, is remanded as there are no VA or private medical records available to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, adjustment disorder, and depression. However, the claim for PTSD remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is related to his military service. The issue of treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is moot as the Veteran has established service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with PTSD is being remanded due to the addition of new medical evidence and the need to review outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), is granted. The appeal regarding the initial compensable rating for a thoracic spine disability is remanded.

The Board has ordered further development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia, increased rating for schizophrenia, and secondary service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran is also seeking a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's application to reopen their previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), blackout disability, and spasm of the temples is granted. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is reopened, and he is granted service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The matter of his entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings, and these claims are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for a back disorder, heart disorder, prostate cancer, and diabetes.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, rating for anxiety disorder NOS, and TDIU due to outstanding records from SSA and further medical clarification is needed.

The Board has determined that the evidence is sufficient to trigger the duty to provide a VA examination to determine whether any diagnosed mental disorder is related to or was aggravated by service. The Veteran's statements and medical records support this determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a new examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and/or bipolar disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's request to reopen her service connection claim for hysterectomy due to uterine fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease is denied. Her request to reopen her service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder is granted. The Veteran's request to reopen her service connection claim for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. Service connection is denied for alcohol abuse and cannabis dependence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied it as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence linking depression or anxiety to service.