Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verification of claimed stressors and a new examination to clarify the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disease, which causes shoulder pain, is related to his active duty service. Additionally, the acquired psychiatric disorders (generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder) are found to have been aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, claimed as secondary to PTSD with anxiety and MDD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum medical opinion to consider other posttraumatic stress disorder stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to address acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to May 16, 2013 and a 100 percent rating has been granted since October 7, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and a new VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder and depression, is related to service.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depression have been rated at 70 percent disabling, effective August 15, 2017. The Veteran also has a stable rating for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied in May 1979 due to the RO's incorrect application of the law, specifically regarding the use of 'permanently' in determining unemployability. The Board found that the correct facts were not considered and that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are not attributable to her active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected enuresis is rated at 40 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and hypertension are rated as 60 percent disabling. The Veteran's stomach ulcers are not service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address certain evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is now before the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his anxiety disorder and depression, preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to his receipt of a 100 percent rating effective from July 25, 2016. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, but not for bilateral knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for fibromyalgia and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood associated with fibromyalgia are denied. The Board found that the symptoms of both conditions did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent for fibromyalgia or 50 percent for the mental health condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for further examination. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, will be evaluated by a VA examiner.