Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia and major depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board found that there was no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of a right broken ankle, tinnitus, or bilateral hearing loss during active service. As such, the Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess his psychiatric conditions and ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and restless leg syndrome are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD with associated anxiety and major depression, as well as fibromyalgia. The claim seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for fibromyalgia is dismissed due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression, finding that the Veteran's behavioral changes during service provide credible supporting evidence of his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are related to his service in Afghanistan, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination. The issue includes verification of claimed stressors during his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and bipolar disorder are not related to her active service, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service personal assault. The diagnoses have changed over time, with different VA examiners listing different primary conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD with anxiety and depression, as well as an opinion regarding the effect this disability has on his employability. Additionally, any outstanding VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action due to an inadequate November 2009 VA psychiatric evaluation. The Veteran is also required to provide updated medical records from May 2007, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 29, 2008. The symptoms include social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary to clarify the nature of the veteran's psychiatric condition, including whether it is related to her in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mood disorder, NOS (including anxiety and depression), is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The nerve damage of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent from April 15, 2008 to June 18, 2009, and in excess of 40 percent from June 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of evidence related to personal assault stressors.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested by anxiety, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, suicidal ideation and at least two suicide attempts, neglect of personal hygiene, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances causing deficiencies in most of the areas including work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, a rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic and anxiety disorders, was not incurred or aggravated during her active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.