Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's disability rating for anxiety disorder, previously evaluated as PTSD, was restored to a 50% rating effective June 1, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss of the right ear, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD), and low back disability are all granted. However, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied for his low back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, cervical disorder, left ear hearing loss, and knee disorders. The Veteran's mental health records need to be obtained, as well as additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with symptoms of depression and anxiety is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to lack of updated VA treatment records and insufficient work history information.

The Veteran's other specified anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety occurring more days than not, is granted a 100% rating for the entire appeal period. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and determining whether the Veteran is a 'Veteran' under 38 U.S.C. § 101(2). The appeal will be further developed with respect to these matters.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his generalized anxiety disorder and a determination on whether he is unemployable due to this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder with panic attacks and depression) was productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximated considerably impaired ability to establish or maintain effective relationships with people prior to November 7, 1996. The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder from July 16, 1996.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), dermatophytosis of the left foot, and dermatophytosis of the right foot.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, is due to her active service. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding whether the condition was caused by an incident during her period of active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran contends he experienced combat stressors in Vietnam and now suffers from PTSD.

The Board finds that further development of the record is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appellant has been diagnosed with various conditions and her attorney indicated interest in adjudicating the TDIU claim along with the PTSD claim.

The Board has denied a higher initial disability rating for anxiety with bereavement features, but the case is being remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision and new evidence received since the last adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) with persistent depressive disorder and moderate anxiety distress is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his incarceration at Fort Le, Kansas. The AOJ should arrange for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI residuals, and right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner is required to provide opinions on the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to the need for further examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome with CPAP, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected conditions.