Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues with verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA medical records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, must be evaluated again based on new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or skin condition, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and further development of the record, as the current VA examination is inadequate due to lack of consideration of the Veteran's private diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are at least as likely as not related to his active service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and polysubstance abuse, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for essential hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim remains denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his claim for TDIU has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to address the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressive mood, anxiety, social phobia, and alcohol dependence was rated at 30 percent effective March 17, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as an unspecified anxiety disorder, is related to his active military service and grants this claim. The sinus disorder issue remains pending.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and VA rehabilitation records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including consideration of the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depressive features was rated at 30 percent prior to May 19, 2013 and granted a higher rating of 50 percent from that date. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of all current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a current psychiatric disability, likely PTSD or another acquired psychiatric condition. Service connection is also established for sleep apnea. The claim for cluster headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired anxiety disorder, to include PTSD, is manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as: impaired short-term memory; anger; anxiety; depressed mood; and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizures and psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD, are not related to military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with depression is rated at 50 percent effective July 5, 2011. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status as the maximum schedular rating has not been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected, as they are linked to his in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity during active service in Iraq. The Veteran's vestibular disorder is also service-connected due to a TBI sustained during service. Sinusitis and rhinitis with coughing have been found to be related to exposure to burn pits while serving in Balad, Iraq.