Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, skin problems/disorder, heel spurs, headaches/migraines, dizziness/vertigo, leg pain, CFS, and lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability in most cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and is related to his military service. The Veteran also has current diagnoses of PTSD and anxiety disorder, which are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The other psychiatric disorders, including ADHD and depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder are also found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The appellant's current low back disorder is also considered related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left inguinal groin neuropathy did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with panic disorder and agoraphobia was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his active duty service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a diagnosed anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, both of which are less likely as not caused by or related to his conceded stressor of fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and benign essential tremors, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are attributable to his active duty service.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for a TDIU, and her service-connected disability renders her unemployable.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to April 5, 2010. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD secondary to military sexual trauma (MST) effective from April 5, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of cardiovascular disability in service or otherwise linked to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disability.,The Veteran does not have cold injury residuals to the upper extremities, lower extremities, or psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder).,The Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Veteran does not have PTSD.,There is no evidence of stomach disorder in service or a current diagnosis of stomach disorder. The Veteran's IBS is not secondary to service-connected ankylostomiasis.,The Veteran's ankylostomiasis has been inactive and thus not resulting in any current manifestations of symptoms or impairment during the period of the appeal.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed due to the lack of medical nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions and their relationship to his service. The case will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The reduction in disability rating for lumbar spine disability from 20% to 10% effective September 1, 2014 is found to be improper.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying the Veteran's service during the Tet Offensive and obtaining updated VA treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder and unspecified Anxiety Disorder, are not related to her military service. The right AC joint scar is currently evaluated at a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for anxiety disorder, NOS, and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of his claims, including TDIU.