Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature of his current diagnoses and the etiology of those diagnoses. The Veteran has not provided verified in-service stressors supporting a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are found to be due to herbicide agent exposure, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a generalized anxiety disorder and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and a mood disorder) as well as service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), has been granted. His herpes simplex and dermatitis have also been rated at the 10% level.

The Veteran requested a hearing on the issue of service connection for anxiety and depression. After his request was withdrawn, the Board dismissed the appeal as there were no allegations of error in the determination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and concluded that it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a nexus between his current conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS was productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms prior to September 14, 2011. Beginning on September 14, 2011, the Veteran experienced occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of unit records and payroll records, which may contain information about the Veteran's service in Lebanon. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional evidence or argument.

The Board has found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder. However, additional development is needed to more fully ascertain the nature and etiology of the claimed PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. No rating decision was made as the issues were not about service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, including the rating for anxiety disorder and service connection for panic disorder, sleeping disorder, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and will be held in abeyance until further action on these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and anxiety, are found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent since September 8, 2016. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and left ankle injury do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional records, including those from a private psychiatrist.