Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and whether it is related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying in-service stressor details.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed service connected due to her having hyperthyroidism and a thyroidectomy within one year of discharge from active duty. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include anxiety and depression) is remanded as no VA examination has been done.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional examination and development as the last VA examinations were conducted over 6 years ago.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of cold injury to the bilateral feet are currently rated at 10 percent, and his generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent.,Neither condition has been found to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities are denied. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, and because the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. The Veteran is currently service-connected for anxiety with depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee lateral instability, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, limitation of flexion in the right and left knees, and residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for any psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that his current anxiety disorder is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have a separate psychiatric disorder other than his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds insufficient evidence to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, is rated at 70 percent. However, his claim for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the criteria for individual unemployability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent, as the symptoms indicate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and major depression have been granted a disability rating of 50 percent effective from August 1, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service and has granted service connection for this condition. Additionally, the Board found that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected loss of use of the left hand results in needing aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was rated at 50 percent prior to March 24, 2010. Since then, the rating has been increased to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, has been rated at 10 percent since May 4, 2009. The issue of service connection for chronic nasal obstruction and a deviated septum disability due to residuals of a nose fracture is granted.