Anxiety Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current primary diagnosis is for alcohol abuse and dependence, and no other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or is otherwise medically related to an in-service injury, disease or event, specifically including alleged involuntary LSD exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and TDIU were granted, while the claim for a compensable disability rating for PTSD prior to December 1, 2013 was denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression are found to be at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by her service-connected polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). As a result, the Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The increased rating claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and muscle tension headaches have also been denied.

The Veteran's eye conditions, including blepharitis and chalazions, are not related to service or any service-connected disability. Headaches have been determined to be secondary to PTSD, while anxiety is associated with the Veteran's PTSD.,PTSD has resulted in a 30 percent rating prior to May 23, 2016, and a higher than 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5237, and denied an increased rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraines from January 15, 2015. The claim for service connection for anxiety reaction was reopened and the Veteran is now service connected for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to his cardiovascular disability.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder is related to his in-service treatment for anxiety and adjustment disorders, and the Board finds that this condition is secondary to service.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to service, and she is granted service connection.,While the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with agoraphobia has been shown to have worsened since service separation, a higher rating of 70% or above is not warranted due to lack of occupational and social impairment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 25, 2011 at Baptist Medical Center South were denied as there was no showing of a medical emergency and VA treatment facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher initial rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and a depressed mood is found to have its onset during service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions, as well as further review of the evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of efforts to obtain relevant mental health records from Beaumont facility reported by the Veteran. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 6, 1993 for the grant of service connection for dysthymia with generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity while on active duty. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors. The diagnoses provided throughout the appeal period included PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and GAD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 16, 2005. The TDIU claim is granted as of the same date. SMC for statutory housebound benefits is granted beginning March 23, 2011.