Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently meets (or did at any time during the pendency of this appeal) the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric disorder, and whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to military service. The Veteran's in-service stressor must also be verified.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any current diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with a focus on whether they are related to his active duty service or specifically to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals and anxiety disorder were not found to warrant higher ratings, with the exception of gastritis which was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including eating disorders and PTSD. The evidence supports that these conditions had their onset in or are otherwise directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, as secondary to a service-connected bilateral shoulder disorder. The Board also granted service connection for a bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder and any erectile dysfunction. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive an increased rating for his anxiety disorder and whether his erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GERD, right and left knee disabilities, and ED are all found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of her claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain inpatient treatment records from his military hospitalization and to conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of his varicose veins. The Veteran also needs additional development regarding allegations of in-service assaults and head injuries.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has resulted in no more than occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board found that the July 27, 2013 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD with anxiety, hypertension, heart attack, back condition, left leg pain, and diabetes did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical evaluations and the need for further development of the Veteran's employment history. The appeal is now pending with the AOJ.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities resulting from a colonoscopy and subsequent care in October 2012 at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. The Board finds that further examination and development are needed to determine if these conditions were caused by VA's treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and social anxiety was rated at 70 percent disabling since September 10, 2007 through April 29, 2015. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms as per the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment, are related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, separate service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence with alcohol-induced sleep disorder are related to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed depression and chronic anxiety is rated at 70 percent prior to May 4, 2010. A higher rating of more than 70 percent is denied for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been rated at the highest available level (70%) since July 1, 2009. The Board found that his symptoms warrant this rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.