Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar II disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 8, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent from July 8, 2014, were dismissed. The appeal seeking entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence of exposure or a direct link to service. The claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder is remanded as there may have been a material change in the disability since the last examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle and wrist conditions, but has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected back disability prevents him from working in sedentary positions.

The Board has expanded the claim to include an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a new examination is required due to the inadequate opinion from the May 2014 VA psychologist. The Veteran's self-reported symptoms of depression at separation are relevant to her current claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of proper VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's mental health history. The issues of service connection for a left shoulder strain, evaluation in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder beginning January 14, 2014, and effective date earlier than January 14, 2014 for the award of a 50 percent evaluation for anxiety disorder are all remanded. The issue of TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to decide the claims and requires further development. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, polysubstance abuse versus dependence, psychotic disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, MDD, bipolar disorder, substance induced psychosis/delirium, and personality disorders are remanded for additional examination and consideration of all available records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depression has rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to determine if he has any current psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to his service. The hearing loss claim also requires a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that her current diagnosis is not related to her military service or secondary to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The PTSD is linked to combat stressors in Vietnam and Desert Storm, while the anxiety disorder is found to be related to service due to multiple factors including combat exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there is no link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate or incomplete examination reports and because there is evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with substance abuse disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore, there is no basis for service connection in this case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, was granted a disability rating of 50 percent from September 12, 2014 to October 19, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, is granted service connection. The remaining issues are either dismissed or remanded for further evaluation.