Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore, there is no valid claim for service connection. However, the Veteran's dysthymia with generalized anxiety disorder is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim was reopened and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his reported stressors and obtain private treatment records. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's statements and testimony do not establish that he engaged in combat with the enemy, nor did his service records corroborate any such exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection as PTSD or a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, foot disorders, knee disorders, ankle disorder, and headache disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is REMANDED for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, and whether they are related to military service. Additionally, the case is also REMANDED for a VA esophageal examination to determine the nature and etiology of GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression with insomnia and anxiety, was denied as there is no evidence of a link between the claimed condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of a left ear hearing loss disability or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder have been manifested by symptoms indicative of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10% prior to February 7, 2013.,PTSD and anxiety disorder are rated at 70% from January 29, 2009 to prior to February 22, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression) are all denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or any other disability related to his military service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the case can be adjudicated, including obtaining a new VA examination to address all of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and whether any are related to an in-service personal assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depression and anxiety disorder are related to his military service, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, is related to his service. The claim for TDIU will be remanded as it cannot be adjudicated without a rating assigned for the psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and an anxiety disorder related to his military service in Vietnam is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood to include Somatization Disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code.