Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected enuresis is rated at 40 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and hypertension are rated as 60 percent disabling. The Veteran's stomach ulcers are not service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address certain evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is now before the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his anxiety disorder and depression, preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to his receipt of a 100 percent rating effective from July 25, 2016. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, but not for bilateral knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for fibromyalgia and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood associated with fibromyalgia are denied. The Board found that the symptoms of both conditions did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent for fibromyalgia or 50 percent for the mental health condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for further examination. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, will be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by his Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS and another examination to determine the combined effects of his disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional procedural development due to the submission of new VA treatment records since the last decision.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and hepatitis C, as secondary to PTSD. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral pinguecula and dry eyes were found to primarily manifest as eye dryness with intermittent visual difficulty, without any indication of disfigurement. The claim for a compensable initial disability rating was denied. For the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder results in occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The Board has determined that this does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, previously rated as sleep disorder and claimed as PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 19, 2017. The rating has been increased to 100 percent from January 19, 2017, forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left arm disability or lung cancer. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), kidney cancer, loss of kidney, and hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for status post septoplasty with residual of tingling sensations inside nose is denied.,Service connection for thyroid disability and acquired psychiatric disability are both denied as the evidence does not relate these conditions to service.,The Veteran's current anxiety disorder has not been related to active service by competent medical evidence.