Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received and grants the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder, is granted. The condition had its onset in service and the Veteran used alcohol to self-medicate her anxiety symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing documents and a need to rebuild his claims file. The issues include lumbar, thoracic, cervical, right knee, erectile dysfunction, headaches (claimed as cephalgia), left hand disability, right hand disability, paresthesia of upper extremities, sciatic pain in lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, tachycardia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of a shrapnel wound to the head, and a right knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.,The Board found no indication of any current disabilities for OSA, tachycardia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of a shrapnel wound to the head, and a right knee disability. The Veteran's statements regarding these conditions were not credible.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a fungal condition and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and an adjustment disorder. Further development is needed as VA treatment records are required, the stressor must be verified, and opinions on etiology need to be provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction secondary to hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to incomplete service treatment records and lack of supporting medical evidence. The claims will be further developed with additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding a link between his combat-related stressors and his current condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for brain tumors, seizures, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), prostate cancer, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of conditions, verification of stressors, and etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for anxiety disorder and found that he meets the criteria for service connection. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is considered to have been incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is granted. The claim for insomnia is denied. Service connection for sleep apnea is also denied. Initial compensable ratings are granted for enterocolitis (Crohn's Disease) and anal fistula disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records, including those related to his eye and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran must also provide lay statements from himself and others regarding his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depression and PTSD, was due to an in-service assault and MST. Therefore, service connection for depression and PTSD with anxiety and sleep disorder is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with persistent depressive disorder was denied for ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to May 23, 2017 and on or after May 23, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hypertension, and denied all other claims due to lack of a causal relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The issue of whether he has a current psychiatric condition related to service is remanded.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified psychotic disorder. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, right ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities were denied. The claim of service connection for anxiety and depression secondary to PTSD was granted. However, the Board found no current disability for the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for coronary artery disease and service connection for depression/anxiety (claimed as secondary to service connected conditions) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, memory loss, and stomach condition (stomach ulcer). The claims for service connection are currently pending.