Anxiety Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, anxiety, and depression did not manifest during service or are not related to his service-connected chronic lumbar strain. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic psychiatric disability manifested by anxiety and stress, nor can service connection be established for this condition. The initial evaluation of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome with aerophagia is denied as it does not reflect the severity of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed mood disorder was not caused by his service-connected mandibular fracture or otherwise related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. The Board is addressing the issues of entitlement to service connection for a cognitive disability with memory loss and neurological problems (to include as secondary to service-connected generalized anxiety disorder) and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the February 1983 rating decision, which resulted in a 30 percent evaluation for anxiety reaction with depression. As a result of this CUE finding, the Veteran had a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) effective from the date of his death. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is granted as the Veteran was continuously rated at or above 60 percent for a period of 10 years immediately preceding his death.

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's claimed psychiatric disorders, finding that his pre-existing anxiety disorder did not increase in severity during active duty and that he did not develop a psychosis. The Board also found that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his current level of disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his right knee disorder and anxiety disorder. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current level of disability caused by his service-connected PTSD, including its impact on employment. The case will be returned to the Board once this information has been gathered.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction and major depression have been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. He is also granted a TDIU.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed innocently acquired psychiatric disorder that was incurred or aggravated by service. His personality disorder, which he had prior to service, is not considered a disease or injury for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities and considering new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to service. The lumbar spine disorder also was not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the appellant and a need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder contributed to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining post-service treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's new claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD. The AMC/RO must obtain all relevant medical records, schedule a VA psychiatric examination, and adjudicate the claim on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, not including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is as likely as not caused by experiences he had during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records, conduct further examinations, and consider alternative theories of service connection.