Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's death was caused by inflicted sharp wounds due to severe corporal trauma, but there is no evidence linking any psychiatric disability, including PTSD, to his service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of June 23, 2010 for the assignment of a 70 percent disability evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for a herpes condition are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder, are related to a personal assault during his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated evaluations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and determine if he qualifies for vocational rehabilitation benefits. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 70 percent rating effective March 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his anxiety disorder. The issue will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and verification of his military service.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD as not established. The Veteran's back disability claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as she does not have a ratable disability. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and for a higher rating for PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new psychiatric examination. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA examination reports and treatment records. His increased rating claims for PTSD with generalized anxiety and multiple lipomas will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible in-service stressor. The anxiety disorder claim is reopened as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from a Vet Center and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ganglion cyst of the left wrist, tinnitus, and right foot disability was denied. The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with PTSD has been granted a rating of 30% prior to July 7, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and social anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and information from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders. The non-service-connected pension claim is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, were found to warrant a rating of 70 percent since May 22, 2012. The decision also addressed the issue of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed psychiatric, heart, glaucoma, and hypertension disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and he has been granted TDIU prior to January 8, 2009.