Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at the date of receipt of his reopened claim on February 2, 2009.,Both right shoulder and lower back disabilities were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the January 2007 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and Social Security Administration records. The Board will then review the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which was originally filed in March 2009.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD and depressive disorder), including adjustment disorder with anxiety, is not service connected as it is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. Night sweats are also not service connected as they are attributed to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with bulging disc, taking into account functional impairment. The appeal for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder was denied by the Board, with a conclusion that his symptoms did not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an enlarged prostate with increased PSA and for a psychiatric disorder were denied as the evidence did not support direct service connection, without any presumption or secondary basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is rated at the highest available rating of 50% due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, back disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the appellant's complete service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA disability benefits records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the Veteran failing to report to a scheduled VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, singly or in combination, are not so severe as to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience. The Board finds that the Veteran is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment given his educational and occupational history.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia secondary to PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence, is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, verifying alleged stressor events, and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnoses of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as the need for updated VA medical records.

The Board finds that the reduction of the rating for Generalized Anxiety Disorder from 70% to 50%, effective March 1, 2010 was not in accordance with law. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are currently indicative of no more than occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to a personal assault while in service. The evidence now includes a criminal investigation report of the alleged assault and a nexus statement from her treating nurse practitioner. The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are likely related to this assault.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with OCD and Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since November 23, 2011.