Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder contributed to his fatal cardiomyopathy, reducing his ability to rehabilitate and medicate which caused a more rapid deterioration of his physical health and condition. The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disability was not the only contributing cause of his death but did contribute.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, degenerative changes of the left knee, and status post arthroscopy of the right knee have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each. The claim for higher initial ratings remains before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder with sleep disturbance is proximately due to his service-connected psoriasis and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as an anxiety disorder, is granted. The evidence establishes a current diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and causally relates it to his military service in Iraq.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder was denied. The evidence showed that the Veteran had occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the level required for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service and the gap between any post-service symptoms and service is significant.

The Veteran's depression is not service-connected as it is not related to his service-connected condyloma acuminata, penile and anal areas. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for depression, anxiety, stress and sleep problems based on new evidence submitted since the last denial. The Veteran's personal statements, service treatment records (STRs), and recent VA treatment records now provide competent medical evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder of depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety and depression, were not incurred during active service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that the new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and mood instability, are related to his military service. The claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion to determine whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran is diagnosed with anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, which are related to his service in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder are due to disease or injury incurred in service, specifically aggravated by a personality disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder pre-existed service and was aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizotypal personality disorder and anxiety/depression. However, it was determined that new evidence did not establish service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or credible supporting evidence of stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the failure to appear for VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Board will attempt to obtain any relevant treatment records and provide the Veteran with a new opportunity to substantiate his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The TDIU rating claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work and family relations, from March 27, 2006 to September 27, 2008. A 70 percent rating is granted for this period.