Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination. The claims of service connection will be adjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service in Southeast Asia. The Board finds that the evidence of record does not clearly establish a link between his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and his military service or service-connected PTSD, but further examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was incurred in active service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment/personality disorder, finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction is not severe enough to warrant a compensable rating, and he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as secondary to headaches, have been denied. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between his current conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying diagnoses.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent rating since October 7, 2010.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional left shoulder disability as a result of VA treatment.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for PTSD with major depression and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression was denied. The RO continued the Veteran's disability rating at 30 percent, effective June 3, 1994.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder has been characterized by depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The initial rating of 30% for the period prior to November 21, 2007, was granted; a higher rating of 50% is now granted from that date. For the period beginning May 27, 2009, the Veteran's psychiatric disorder has been characterized by persistent depression and suicidal ideation, leading to a grant of a 70% initial disability rating.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including her personality disorder, were aggravated by an in-service sexual assault. Therefore, service connection for aggravation of a personality disorder is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety and schizoaffective disorders, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the July 1977 rating decision that initially denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or hearing loss, but he did meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder NOS. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety with chronic sleep impairment, finding that the Veteran's current disability is attributable to his military service. The claim for service connection for sleepwalking remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diverticulitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder). The claim for service connection for prostate cancer was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service stressor. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include anxiety disorder is also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking it to military service.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and anxiety disorders, that had its onset during active military service. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 16, 2005.