Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and anxiety disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show a relationship to service. His hepatitis C rating remained at 20 percent, with no new information provided that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been remanded due to the inextricability of issues with SMC eligibility. The Board will consider entitlement on an extra-schedular basis under special provisions and may also address SMC if applicable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to support a stressor related to in-service personal assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a confirmed stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, right ankle disorder, and right ring finger volar plate fracture.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds a 70 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including hearing loss, gout, stomach disorder, and psychiatric disability. The Board has determined that further examination is necessary to address the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran claims service connection for gout (of the left knee and feet) and a stomach disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened, but the underlying claim remains denied.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent prior to March 31, 2015 and the issue of a higher rating on or after that date is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for varicose veins and granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The left knee disability is not considered distinct from the service-connected peripheral vascular disease, but it is not determined whether it is aggravated by that condition. Service connection for anxiety disorder and depression are also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including an adjustment disorder, depression, and anxiety, were not incurred in service or related to any in-service event or illness. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant in a January 2018 submission.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and any other diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability did not manifest during or as a result of service and is not related to any service-connected condition. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder that may be present.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's alleged stressors and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS with depressive features and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying his reported stressors. A VA psychiatric examination will also be scheduled to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor did they cause him to be housebound. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied.