Anxiety Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday, and therefore does not meet the criteria for recognition as a helpless child.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such disorders.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating as his symptoms were not indicative of significant impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's depressive disorder, finding that it is related to his military service. The appeal regarding polysubstance abuse was withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service. The Veteran will also be given an opportunity to provide more detailed information about the traumatic events he experienced during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires additional development due to the need for updated mental health examinations and verification of claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, did not manifest in service or is related to any event during service. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the current psychiatric disability is not related to service or any event, injury, or disease during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence does not support service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depressive disorders, not otherwise specified, and PTSD; increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, boutonniere deformity of the right little finger, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and residuals of a right wrist injury have been denied. The Veteran's claims are currently under appellate status.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment and anxiety disorders, is currently rated at 50 percent effective November 21, 2015. The rating remains unchanged as the evidence does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with panic disorder and nervous stomach has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension (HTN) have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and MDD, warrants a disability rating of 50 percent prior to June 13, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction, render him unemployable due to their impact on his ability to perform substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 19, 2010.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU effective from May 19, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression with anxiety was reopened and granted. The headaches are rated at a 30 percent rating prior to March 24, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and notifying her of any inability to obtain the requested documents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder), chronic sleep impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and nephropathy with hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, which qualifies for a TDIU.