Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 30, 2008 for the grant of a 70 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder is denied as there was no evidence from which it could be factually ascertainable that the criteria for a 70 percent rating were first met within a year prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is service-connected due to exposure to traumatic events during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for VA examinations and additional development of records.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder have resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% rating for his service-connected conditions. The Board has also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to these disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD and did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The VA examiner determined that his anxiety and depressive disorders are less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence in full remission has rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and substance abuse/pain medication addiction, as well as his claim for a higher rating for right knee disability, were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, characterized as PTSD and anxiety, has been rated at 70 percent since the beginning of the appeal period.,For migraine headaches, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent after November 28, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, which is found to be related to his active duty. However, the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) was denied as there is no credible evidence supporting a verified in-service stressor or fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The VA examiner found that the identified stressors would satisfy the criteria for PTSD stressors but did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, which are being evaluated on their own merits.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied service connection. The Veteran's hypertension was also not granted as the rating assigned is at the minimum level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify in-service stressors, and provide a VA examination for his right foot pain and psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not shown to be present during active military service and has not otherwise been shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a direct relationship between his sleep apnea and service-connected migraine headaches.,The Veteran does not manifest PTSD.,The Veteran's depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and unspecified insomnia disorder are aggravated by service-connected migraines.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 19, 2012 at Chambersburg Hospital were reimbursed as the treatment was for an emergency condition related to his service-connected bipolar disorder and a side effect of propranolol.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and clarify the nature of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right leg thrombophlebitis and pleural adhesions with pulmonary emboli, contributed substantially or materially to his death from cardiogenic shock. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the prior severance of service connection for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was improper, and thus restored service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be adjudicated again based on this new evidence.