Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his vocational rehabilitation records and Social Security Administration records. He also needs an updated VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. The decision is based on the merits of the claim without invoking any specific presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's conversion hysteria with somatization and anxiety, currently rated as PTSD, has been found to be productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as sleep disturbance, occasional suicidal and homicidal ideation, auditory hallucinations, restricted and anxious affect, mumbled speech, hypervigilance, and irritability without evidence of total occupational and social impairment. For the period prior to November 15, 2011.

Prior to February 1, 2003, the Veteran's psychiatric disorder was rated at 30 percent due to symptoms such as depressed mood and mild insomnia.,From February 1, 2003 to June 30, 2003, the rating increased to 50 percent due to moderate symptoms including flattened affect and difficulty in social functioning.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current vertigo and his service-connected hearing loss or anxiety. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board finds that the appellant has failed to present evidence showing that VA's care or treatment caused or contributed significantly to the Veteran's death. The medical records indicate multiple health issues, including COPD and coronary artery disease, which were treated by VA prior to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and VA medical centers.

The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is not related to his service-connected GERD and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a medical opinion to reconcile conflicting diagnoses of PTSD. The Veteran's claim remains in a pending state.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The decision found that a current diagnosis of PTSD was not established and that there was no evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify whether the Veteran's alleged sexual assault in service occurred and to determine if her current psychiatric disabilities are related to military service. The case will be remanded for further examination and adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a new opinion regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. The initial rating of 10 percent for fracture of the distal second and fourth metacarpal of the left hand remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient notice regarding PTSD based on in-service personal assault and a need for additional evidence, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's complete service personnel file and attempting to verify his claimed stressors. A VA examiner will also be consulted to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.