Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted. The diagnoses are based on his reported stressors during the Vietnam war.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for psychiatric disability, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety, has been dismissed as the Veteran requested its withdrawal in a July 2017 correspondence.

The Veteran's service-connected GAD has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, characterized as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and social phobia, is rated at 70 percent since August 19, 2009. The Board denied a higher rating because the impairment did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and a sleep disorder, as well as bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is required to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety and essential tremors as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to active duty service, and a rating of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain is granted.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a TDIU, an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder prior to June 17, 2015, and an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100% disability rating. These issues are currently on remand due to inadequate notice and development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The case is being reviewed de novo due to new evidence added in October 2012. A VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to service, particularly the sexual assault claimed during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records, specifically VA treatment records from September 2010 forward. The Veteran is advised to provide these records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to insufficient information to corroborate the alleged stressor. After verification, service connection was granted for anxiety disorder, NOS with an initial evaluation of 30 percent. The Board finds a remand necessary as the regulations pertaining to the DSM-V are applicable and VA examinations should be conducted using these criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD), and residuals of ocular trauma are all granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.,The Veteran's near continuous thirst is not considered a separate disability for compensation purposes and thus denied.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depression, mood disturbances, anger, and panic attacks and therefore not separately service-connected.,The Veteran's left arm disability remains in dispute and requires further examination and evidence.,The Veteran's sleep disability (specifically sleep apnea) is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including consideration of herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's prostate disability and left-hand skin disability are both remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiologies, including consideration of herbicide exposure during service.,reasoning_summary

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was denied, and the Board found that he is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any current mental health condition and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations related to his hearing loss, sleep apnea, heart disease, prostate cancer, stroke, and psychiatric disorders. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorders, adjustment disorder, and panic disorder, is being reviewed for service connection.