Need some help and guidance.

Your wife should file a claim for service connection for a mental health condition, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another anxiety disorder, secondary to her combat tours and military service. Under 38 CFR 3.303, service connection requires a current diagnosis, an in-service event, and a medical nexus linking the two. For mental health, the diagnosis can be established by a VA or private psychiatrist, and her combat tours on the USS Eisenhower provide the requisite in-service stressor, which the VA will concede per 38 CFR 3.304(f). Her symptoms of extreme anger align with the criteria in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities under 38 CFR 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411 (PTSD) or 9400 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder); ratings are based on occupational and social impairment, with severe symptoms like anger potentially warranting a 50% or 70% rating. Case law like *Buchanan v. Nicholson* supports that all symptoms, including those not formally documented in service, must be considered. Actionable next steps are: 1) Obtain a formal diagnosis and a supportive nexus statement from her psychiatrist, 2) File an Intent to File immediately to preserve an earlier effective date, and 3) Submit a fully developed claim (FDC) with her DD-214, personal and buddy statements detailing her anger outbursts and service events, and all medical records. Strongly consider engaging a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for assistance. **Disclaimer: This is educational information for claims preparation and not legal or medical advice; for personal guidance, consult an accredited attorney, claims agent, or VSO.**