Anxiety Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for colorectal cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between the Veteran's in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his current conditions, nor did the medical literature support a causal link between the contaminants present at Camp Lejeune and colorectal cancer.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are mild and controlled by medication.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim regarding whether the appellant's character of discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits. The issue of whether the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct leading to his discharge under other than honorable conditions is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied, and the Board found that the criteria for a compensable rating were not met. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is remanded due to lack of verification of stressors but also indicates possible secondary etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying a reported stressor.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including unspecified anxiety disorder with PTSD features and major depressive disorder, are granted. The rating for the service-connected major depressive disorder is increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through multiple letters requesting withdrawal of his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric issues, including anxiety and depression, were not related to service. The stressors claimed by the Veteran did not meet the criteria for PTSD due to lack of fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran must be provided with new VA examinations for his left knee and anxiety disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to decide.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychosis, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction is remanded due to incomplete information regarding in-service stressors and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's request for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS (excluding a period of temporary total evaluation) is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, new evidence received after the 2013 VA examination, and need for verification of stressors. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's anxiety and other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is granted. The claim for PTSD is also granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and their relationship to his military service. A VA examination is needed to diagnose any current mental disabilities and provide an opinion on whether they are related to service.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for PTSD is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, as his current diagnosis may be separate from his anxiety disorder (PTSS). The VA will schedule a new mental health evaluation to assess these issues.