Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The remand includes obtaining an updated medical opinion that considers the Veteran's reported in-service experiences and symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, psychotic disorder, mood disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder is being remanded due to insufficient examination reports. The Board will seek a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of a current left leg disorder and denies service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety, will be remanded to obtain additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service mental health treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is characterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes major depression.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, including benign prostate hyperplasia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hiatal hernia, GERD, PUD, chronic colitis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of both hips, degenerative joint disease of both knees, and degenerative joint disease of both feet.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the underlying claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a new VA psychiatric evaluation and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD is caused or aggravated by her service-connected migraines.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and insomnia is rated at 50 percent, while his low back disc herniation is rated at 50 percent prior to March 7, 2012, and 20 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is not rated higher than 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was not manifest in service or related to service. The evidence did not establish a link between any current psychiatric condition and service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, is currently rated at 50 percent since September 14, 2016. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Board found no current diagnosis of sinusitis and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The psychiatric conditions were not related to service, and fibromyalgia was not related to service either.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for PTSD and anxiety disorder NOS. The decision also noted that the Veteran wanted to withdraw his appeal regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left leg and groin nerve injury.

The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service. The Veteran's complaints of breathing difficulties during service may be indicative of an anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records.

The Board has determined that the issue of service connection for PTSD with insomnia, anxiety and adjustment disorder is moot as it has already been granted in a January 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The fertility condition was found to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence shows significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, is granted as service connected. The claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence and inconsistency with the circumstances of his service.