Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but did not approximate total occupation and social impairment. The initial rating of 70 percent was granted from December 1, 2008 to October 20, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service and obtain relevant medical records. The claims for service connection and TDIU will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression associated with TBI was granted a 50% rating, effective August 11, 2011. The RO also granted an increased initial rating of 70% for PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder in December 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression, anxiety disorder, and cognitive disorders are related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The service connection issue remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety, NOS, finding that the Veteran's current anxiety is related to his active duty. The TDIU issue will be remanded after the anxiety evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 12, 2011. The VA examiner found that the Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, hypervigilance, difficulty in understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and OCD is rated at 50 percent prior to January 7, 2011, and at 70 percent beginning on that date. The Veteran also has a separate rating of 60 percent for his alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include schizophrenia, dyssomnia, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) and psychotic disorder NOS. Service connection was denied for a back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, or PTSD, that is etiologically related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities and whether any such diagnosed disorder is caused or aggravated by one or more of the Veteran's reported traumatic events or any other aspect of active or National Guard service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to service or secondary to his skin disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service. The issues on appeal are now undecided due to conflicting opinions from previous VA examiners.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as his employment experience has shown he is capable of engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and circumstances, obtaining pertinent medical records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include seeking service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disorders, but the Board is remanding these cases due to procedural issues.