Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a traumatic brain injury due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and nature of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, a neck condition, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his military service, the neck condition is presumed due to head trauma during service, and the TBI was caused by an incident in 1990.

The Veteran's appeals to increase his disability ratings and establish an effective date for service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (manifested by anxiety and sleep impairment), and sleep apnea as the conditions were not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition that resulted in his death, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s heart condition was either caused by or aggravated by his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, manic depression, and bipolar disorder due to new and material evidence. The claim is now remanded for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressed mood and anxiety has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran met the requirements of PTSD due to fear of hostile military action, which was corroborated by medical opinions.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was granted SMC at the (l) level based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, with all reasonable doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran.

Service connection is granted for chronic kidney disease and anxiety disorder, with a 10 percent rating assigned for residuals of a right fibula fracture. Service connection is denied for left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, currently characterized as social anxiety disorder with recurrent major depressive disorder. The effective date for the grant of a 70 percent rating is fixed based on factual findings and cannot be earlier than October 26, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chest wall condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cognitive and/or acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current bipolar disorder, type II, to disease or injury in service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support other diagnoses such as major depression/depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, or ADHD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea. Diabetes mellitus is now considered service-connected as secondary to herbicide exposure. The psychiatric claim has also been reopened.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and unclear employment status. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to be evaluated for their impact on his ability to work, with a focus on whether his current job constitutes 'marginal' employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded it for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder and a nervous condition, is granted. The appeal is granted in this limited scope.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance have been dismissed.,Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disability, COPD, and anxiety disorder with dysthymic disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.