Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has expanded the appeal to include all diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran's request for a hearing was withdrawn due to non-appearance. Service connection is remanded as new evidence requires review and an additional medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression have been rated at a 70 percent disability evaluation, effective from April 11, 2011.,The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to its secondary nature to his service-connected anxiety and depression.

The appeal as to entitlement to service connection for a left elbow disability has been dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received; the claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent schedular rating for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder is effective as of August 23, 2014. The issue of TDIU prior to this date remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and examination, including a review of VA treatment records and an opinion on whether any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, panic disorder, and depressive disorder). The low back disability is considered to be due to deconditioning including excessive tone in the lower extremities and weak abdominal muscles. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as it is related to service.

The case is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and several other conditions. Additional development is required to determine whether the Veteran served on land in Vietnam, which could impact his service connection claims.

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.