Anxiety Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder and for a higher rating for his right cervicothoracic paraspinal muscle strain, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant must also be provided with complete notice of the information and evidence needed to substantiate her claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and PTSD with history of adjustment disorder with anxiety, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been granted, but he is still seeking compensation for sexual dysfunction. His cardiac condition remains in dispute.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only due to his already service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's depression with anxiety has been rated at 50 percent since March 3, 2005. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in most areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining necessary information.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorders related to service. The issue of cerebral vascular accident (stroke) secondary to ischemic heart disease is also inextricably intertwined with the appeal.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been productive of total occupational and social impairment since April 27, 2006. The Board finds a 100 percent disability rating is warranted for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service department or other governmental records possibly corroborating the Veteran's account of her sexual assault during military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current anxiety disorder and allergy condition resulting in symptoms of hoarseness. The claims will be adjudicated again based on the updated evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development and adjudicative action, including obtaining service treatment records, VA treatment records, and any other relevant medical records. The Veteran must also be provided with a VCAA notice regarding the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected based on in-service stressors, including witnessing a helicopter crash and combat situations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis. The VA examinations concluded that his symptoms do not align with the symptomatology required for a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, panic disorder and depression, requires additional development before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor and his diagnosed psychiatric conditions. The case will be remanded for these purposes.