Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder effective December 9, 2015 and remanded the claims of service connection for arterial hypertension and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to symptoms of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA medical opinion to address the likelihood that the currently diagnosed psychiatric disabilities had their onset during or were otherwise causally related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 8, 2013, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and the residuals of tonsillitis do not meet criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Social Anxiety Disorder, related to his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety neurosis have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from November 20, 2009 to April 28, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was deemed abandoned due to failure to submit evidence within one year. The effective date for the award of service connection is August 31, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including a claim for increased ratings, service connection claims, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, has been granted service connection.,Service connection for a sinus condition is also granted.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD anxiety and major depression, that had its clinical onset in or is otherwise related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder has been rated at 30 percent since September 16, 2015, effective from July 27, 2011. The rating is based on the criteria for chronic adjustment disorder with occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent for anxiety disorder, and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.,Service connection for chronic ear infections is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology related to service. The Veteran's claim for lymph node disorder is also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for anxiety disorder, and the Board finds that his current psychiatric disorders are related to his active service. The claim of service connection for PTSD, psychotic disorder, and schizoaffective disorder is denied as there was no evidence provided to support these claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bruxism were both denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder have been granted, with a 30% evaluation effective from April 30, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, singly or jointly with some other condition, were not the immediate or underlying cause of death or etiologically related thereto; nor did they contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's cause of death.,Cancer was first shown years post-service and is not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 12, 2013 for service connection of an adjustment disorder was granted. The Veteran is currently assigned a 70 percent disability rating for this condition.