Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no credible medical evidence of a nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the present disability, including major depression and anxiety. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), to include major depression and anxiety, is denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 50 percent, but her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not present occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms of chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, weekly nightmares and/or flashbacks, social isolation, occasional suicidal ideation without intent or plan, inability to establish and maintain effective social relationships, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances such as work or a work-like setting, and impaired impulse control marked by unprovoked irritability with periods of violence. For the entire period on appeal, the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation, but no higher, for PTSD are met.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate opinion on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), and chest pain. The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during service or were caused by any illness or event during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for hypertension secondary to a service-connected back disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected IBS and post-operative rectal/anal stricture. The Board also granted a 30 percent initial rating for IBS, effective from December 18, 2012.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were evaluated at a 70 percent rating from March 23, 2011 to December 25, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a sleep disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's GAD is rated at 100 percent, and his right knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for increased ratings has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, mood disorder and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the inability of the Veteran to complete a VA examination due to an outstanding warrant. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to appear for a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is not productive of total occupational and social impairment. The current 50 percent rating for the condition remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain a full copy of his divorce decree and an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology and progress of his cognitive disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, as secondary to his service-connected acquired skin disorder is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the presence of a current mental health diagnosis and the need for additional VA examination.

The Board has determined that service connection for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified is granted.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability and neurologic disorder (including headaches and seizure disorder) are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings were granted, with the exception of his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral tinea pedis. The rating assigned was 10 percent for ischemic heart disease and anxiety disorder.