Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and dysthymia, is at least as likely as not causally related to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as cognitive disorder unspecified, likely major neurocognitive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder with PTSD features, is a result of service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 90%, meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not etiologically related to service and did not manifest within a year of separation, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion to determine whether his anxiety disorder and panic disorder are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for further development. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to December 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that there is no evidence of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's bilateral shin splints are not manifested by at least moderate knee or ankle disability, or moderately severe muscle injury. Therefore, the current noncompensable ratings for left and right leg shin splints are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim. The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks and depression is presumed to have had its onset during military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to scheduling issues with VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after the necessary development is completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and initial ratings for anxiety disorder due to issues with the adequacy of a previous VA opinion, and because the Veteran requested a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and right wrist disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for multiple conditions including multiple sclerosis with rosacea, pain, weakness in all joints, optic neuritis, depression with anxiety, chronic fatigue, chronic migraines, and insomnia. Service connection was also established for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knee (claimed as right and left knee surgery with chronic pain), intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as low back pain), and hirsutism with fibroids and ovarian cysts.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with anxiety has been rated at 70 percent since July 7, 2012. This rating is in line with the severity of his symptoms and impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU will be reconsidered after any new evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner will determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected asbestosis.