Anxiety Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, cognitive changes, and memory loss as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating from February 7, 1992 to May 3, 1992. The Board also granted an earlier effective date of February 7, 1992 for the special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, was incurred as a result of an in-service personal assault. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disorder, or HIV-related illness. The claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and a cervical spine disorder are all pending. The earlier effective date claim for TDIU is also pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a sternoclavicular sprain is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has provided credible evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since service and current disability, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, or difficulty in understanding complex commands.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, alcohol abuse, and reopening a claim for polycythemia vera.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental opinion from the October 2010 VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's anxiety and depression pre-existed active service and were aggravated during service. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding private treatment records and associate them with the file.

The Board finds that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders, including paranoid schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, began during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA). The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorders found.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically stress and anxiety. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and dysthymia, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and anxiety disorder. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are associated with his military service, and therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The evidence does not support an increase in the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability, and providing an addendum opinion regarding service connection.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional development is required as requested in October 2010.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during service or for many years after service, and concluded that the Veteran's current anxiety and panic disorders are not related to his military service.