Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and service. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records, and a VA examiner is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are related to an in-service personal assault. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 26, 2012 for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with anxiety is denied. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability was shown within the one-year period prior to September 26, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service. The Veteran needs to provide a statement from his daughter and updated medical records, and an examination is needed to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for depression and anxiety as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions. The claims are remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of her lumbar strain and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's chest pain is not service-connected, and his TMJ was evaluated at a non-compensable level prior to September 20, 2015, and at 10 percent thereafter. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service or service-connected headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymic disorder with anxiety features, also claimed as anxiety and depression, to include as secondary to service-connected adenocarcinoma of prostate status post radical prostatectomy.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder has not been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, as his symptoms have not reached the level required for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded other issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for bladder cancer has been fully granted, and the issue is dismissed. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent and for an effective date earlier than March 23, 2012, for the grant of service connection for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing notice regarding personal assault claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD are related to his service, including exposure to combat situations in Vietnam. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted service connection, while type II diabetes mellitus and back disability are denied. Migraine headaches, PTSD, and major depressive disorder claims remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as it would be affected by the grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and review of the file, particularly regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual harassment. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, or Major Depressive Disorder are related to his claimed in-service sexual harassment.