Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim. The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks and depression is presumed to have had its onset during military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to scheduling issues with VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after the necessary development is completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and initial ratings for anxiety disorder due to issues with the adequacy of a previous VA opinion, and because the Veteran requested a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and right wrist disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for multiple conditions including multiple sclerosis with rosacea, pain, weakness in all joints, optic neuritis, depression with anxiety, chronic fatigue, chronic migraines, and insomnia. Service connection was also established for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knee (claimed as right and left knee surgery with chronic pain), intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as low back pain), and hirsutism with fibroids and ovarian cysts.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with anxiety has been rated at 70 percent since July 7, 2012. This rating is in line with the severity of his symptoms and impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU will be reconsidered after any new evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner will determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete adjudication and need for clarification of medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is not warranted as there is no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of combat involvement or verified stressors related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and anxiety disorder, NOS are found to be related to his military service.,Myasthenia gravis is not found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted a 70 percent rating effective June 19, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for residuals of left rotator cuff tear and anxiety disorder was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent for his left shoulder condition, nor are the criteria met for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder prior to October 31, 2014.

Your initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder, NOS has been fully granted with a 100% schedular rating effective March 29, 2007. As you are already receiving the maximum schedular rating, there is no longer an issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, is not etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability warrants a 70 percent rating, and she meets the criteria for TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety is found to be related to service exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.