Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development related to her discharge classification and service connection claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD and the current anxiety disorder is not related to service. The Veteran's recurrent dermatitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and left leg disability have been reopened. However, the Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the request for withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records from the South Bend Vet Center, provide VCAA notice regarding personal assault claims, seek alternative sources of evidence, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the representation withdrawing the appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated appropriately, with the exception of his persistent adjustment disorder which has resulted in a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder prior to July 9, 2016, warrants a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety with polysubstance abuse, is being remanded due to the need to verify a claimed stressor and obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for anxiety disorder has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, is found to have begun during service. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the implementation of the grant of service connection may render it moot.

The Board has determined that there is no current psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, for which service connection can be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The evidence did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD as per DSM-IV or DSM-V.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 8, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he was incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, but did find credible evidence that the Veteran experienced traumatic events during service. However, the most persuasive medical opinion concluded he does not have PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorders, but not PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining deck logs and verifying his Reserve service. New VA examinations are also required for PTSD and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The effective date of service connection remains April 11, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to deficiencies in its reasons and bases. The case is now pending further development.