Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including treatment from the Veteran Center.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent for lumbar disc disease with mechanical low back pain or a rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the back with left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity throughout the period on appeal, warranting a 50 percent rating as of May 19, 2009.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inextricability of the pending increased rating and service connection claims. The RO/AMC will adjudicate these claims before considering the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to address his hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety mood disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the preponderance of the probative medical evidence is against a finding that any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, is causally related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can perform sedentary work despite his physical and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder not otherwise specified, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for calluses, left foot and entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability remain on appeal.

The Board is remanding the case due to inadequate notice provided in previous denials of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and lung or respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are related to her active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and Anxiety Disorder have been granted service connection, with the diagnoses considered new and material to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his claims, including a determination on whether he is unemployable due to service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, thoracic or lumbar spine, and acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against her claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the June 2008 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and unclear notice of the examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. New evidence from VA treatment records suggests a current diagnosis of anxiety disorder related to an in-service sexual assault and establishes a relationship between this condition and service.