Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decision regarding whether VA's duty to provide a VA examination or opinion was met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is reopened and the appeal is granted. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the onset of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent from the date of service connection, effective September 28, 2012. The Veteran also received a TDIU and SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is reopened, but the Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and the relationship between his knee disabilities and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) and peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities. The effective dates are November 13, 2008, and September 24, 2010 respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that his current diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is not related to any in-service stressor or conversion disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, depression and anxiety, as there is no current diagnosis of such. The claim for rectal and colon cancer due to asbestos exposure remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot condition, Meniere’s syndrome, sleep issues, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder with panic due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional examination. The Board also requests an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his other diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including pain disorder with psychological stressors.

The Veteran's tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety are granted service connection. The case is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of hypertension and a right eye disorder, as well as whether these conditions are secondary to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder, had its onset during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's disability is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, reactive airway disease with bronchitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety) incurred during the Veteran's period of active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability rating prior to June 4, 2014. A higher rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including alcohol abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety) due to incomplete service records. The AOJ is required to obtain all relevant service treatment records and personnel records from January 1960 to January 1990. They are also instructed to clarify the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. Additionally, a psychiatric examination must be conducted to assess the nature and etiology of any current mental disorders.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a left leg disorder, low back strain, sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The remands are due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain records from Brooke Army Medical Center and for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran did not have any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD related to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.