Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if any psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, existed prior to service and were aggravated by service or are otherwise related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection for Anxiety Disorder, Dysthymia, and Polysubstance Dependence will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claims for increased ratings have been granted. He also has service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for bipolar disorder not otherwise specified with generalized anxiety disorder prior to April 10, 2017 and TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The remaining claims are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Board found no current disability of plantar fasciitis and denied service connection. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and dysthymia was rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, but the Board did not find that it warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety with associated anger, is related to his service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was not productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, or mood for the periods on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD, with depressive disorder and anxiety reaction with headaches and peptic ulcer was rated at 70 percent from June 25, 2007 to August 11, 2009.

The Veteran's ischemic cardiomyopathy is found to be related to his service-connected dental trauma, and the acquired psychiatric disability and memory loss are considered secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's anxiety disorder as of September 2008, finding that her symptoms more nearly approximated those required for a higher rating. Prior to this date, she did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, has been granted a 70 percent disability rating since September 15, 2010. The Veteran is currently employed but his mental health condition has caused some occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to outstanding questions regarding current diagnosis and etiology in connection with the claim. Additional attempts are needed to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor event and obtain VA treatment records.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to July 8, 2008. The rating assigned was 30 percent for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported symptoms did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and determined that he does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD. The Board also found no causal connection between his current psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, and his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have originated during his military service and granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) is also found to be related to service, but the exact nature of the relationship needs further clarification. Service connection for a bilateral knee condition is denied due to lack of evidence showing aggravation or onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and anxiety disorder, is not related to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST). The preponderance of evidence supports denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected dyshidrotic eczema.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is dismissed due to the failure to file a timely substantive appeal.