Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for left eye conditions, an acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of a right leg injury, and a cervical spine disability. The claims were found not to have been substantiated by new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for reflux esophagitis, lumbar spine disc disease, and bilateral pes planus due to unresolved issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, is related to his active service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee, ankle disabilities, dental trauma to teeth #6, #7, #8, and #9 have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating for his lumbar radiculopathy with sciatica (RLE) and insomnia disorder with chronic pain.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to her military service, including any in-service sexual assault or harassment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on exposure to chemicals and/or environmental hazards in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder and Parkinson's disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are manifested by significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, including difficulty establishing and maintaining effective relationships. The VA examiner determined that the symptoms most closely approximate a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and alcohol dependence are related to service. The weight of the evidence is against a finding that bilateral hearing loss was manifested during service or otherwise shown to be related to the Veteran's active service. Tinnitus was exhibited in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for anxiety disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to additional clinical information being associated with the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is being remanded due to missing records from the claims file. The Board requests that copies of several private treatment records be obtained and associated with the case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and possible SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining all VA medical records from the Huntington Vet Center and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and outstanding VA medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, to include anxiety disorder, has been rated at 30 percent since February 8, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including searching for in-service hospitalization records and obtaining a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with secondary depression and anxiety, based on credible evidence of in-service stressors and a current diagnosis of PTSD.