Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically an examination to determine if her current psychiatric disorders are related to military sexual trauma in service.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to her service. Additionally, she will be asked to provide evidence that corroborates her claim of receiving letters from J.H. during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain pertinent medical records and to request Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits information. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder with residuals, but the stomach disorder claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is service-connected based on evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized by depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, does not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective November 7, 2006. The Board has granted the Veteran a rating in excess of 30 percent for his neurodermatitis with pseudofolliculitis barbae. Additionally, new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (secondary to anxiety disorder), sleep apnea, peripheral vestibular disorder, gastritis, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood has resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notification regarding further submission of evidence and scheduling a hearing.

The Veteran's son, M, was born in September 1990 and attained the age of 18 in September 2008. At that time, he had mental and physical defects rendering him permanently incapable of self-support.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety/panic disorder, finding that the earliest possible effective date is September 10, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and a generalized anxiety disorder, requires additional development due to incomplete records and need for clarification of stressor allegations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied by operation of law as he does not meet the criteria for a current disability. The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, and vision disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his right inguinal hernia was not compensable.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder or adjustment disorder is considered to have had its onset during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.,For the period from February 9, 2010 to December 4, 2010, the Veteran's hypertension disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, as there is no medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of PTSD based on verified in-service stressors. The Veteran's claimed sinus disorder issue was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder NOS have not met the criteria for a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent or more, as her symptoms do not warrant such an evaluation based on the severity described in the diagnostic codes. The left hip degenerative joint disease has also not met the criteria for a higher initial disability rating of 10 percent or more.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service, particularly combat exposure in the Republic of Vietnam.