Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot condition, Meniere’s syndrome, sleep issues, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder with panic due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional examination. The Board also requests an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his other diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including pain disorder with psychological stressors.

The Veteran's tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety are granted service connection. The case is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of hypertension and a right eye disorder, as well as whether these conditions are secondary to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder, had its onset during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's disability is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, reactive airway disease with bronchitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety) incurred during the Veteran's period of active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability rating prior to June 4, 2014. A higher rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including alcohol abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety) due to incomplete service records. The AOJ is required to obtain all relevant service treatment records and personnel records from January 1960 to January 1990. They are also instructed to clarify the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. Additionally, a psychiatric examination must be conducted to assess the nature and etiology of any current mental disorders.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a left leg disorder, low back strain, sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The remands are due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain records from Brooke Army Medical Center and for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran did not have any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD related to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder disability has increased in severity since her last VA examination, and she should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and anxiety neurosis, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are being remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service personal assaults and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric condition and treatment records indicating anxiety and depression.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to July 30, 2012 for the grant of service connection for TBI is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was based on a new theory of entitlement and there is no evidence he sought service connection for TBI prior to July 30, 2012.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was evaluated at a 30 percent rating from December 14, 2007 through January 27, 2015.