Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since August 1, 2011. The current rating is considered appropriate given the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder with TBI residuals, to include cognitive disorder, have been rated at 70 percent since January 16, 2009. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in January 2010. Service connection is granted for bilateral wrist and ankle disorders but not for bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than depressive disorder), to include PTSD, prior to a Board decision. As such, the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's acquired mental and cognitive disorders, NOS, residual of TBI have been rated at 50 percent prior to September 7, 2011.,Since September 7, 2011, the Veteran has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety have been reopened, but service connection has not been established. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive and anxiety disorders are directly related to his service, specifically his in-service left wrist injury. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and determine its etiology, including considering his long history of alcoholism.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The appeal was granted to reopen the claim based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnoses of unspecified depressive disorder and insomnia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected GAD disability and to determine whether his PTSD represents a progression or separate condition from GAD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's low back disability warrants a combined staged rating of 80 percent, and his anxiety disorder warrants a 50 percent rating. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's opiate dependence and pain disorder associated with both psychological factors and a general medical condition have been rated, but the appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an adjustment disorder from October 18, 2007 to December 16, 2015. The claim for anxiety disorder and additional acquired psychiatric disorders (in addition to PTSD and depressive disorder) is denied.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and his TDIU claim has been granted. The Board remanded the case for further evidence development.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depression, effective June 5, 2003. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating remains on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence submitted since the July 2005 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no current diagnosis of such disorders or a causal relationship to in-service events.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to place the relevant evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a back disability related to service, and thus grants service connection.