Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is now granted as secondary to diabetes.,His hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since October 3, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for further examination and evaluation due to the Veteran's inability to attend previously scheduled examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorders. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, anxiety, and back disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of updated regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and generalized anxiety disorder are granted service connection. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding her current diagnoses and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disabilities, including whether they are related to service-connected disability or VA treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (previously, anxiety disorder NOS) has been rated at 50 percent from November 17, 2011 to May 21, 2014; 70 percent from May 22, 2014 to May 13, 2018; and 100 percent since May 14, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disabilities. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, breathing disability (including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), vision loss disability, cervical spine disability, dizziness, sleep disability, degenerative arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, lower extremities, elbow disability, scoliosis, and traumatic brain injury are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and anxiety is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's tinnitus and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety and PTSD were rated at 30 percent prior to September 16, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were of similar severity to those associated with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a facial chemical burn is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,Service connection for fatty liver is also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to in-service treatment with Nizoral.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, cervical spondylosis, tinnitus, tinea versicolor, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited flexion, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited extension, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with impairment of the thigh, right knee strain, left knee strain, thoracolumbar strain, right shoulder scars, status-post surgery, left ingrown toenails, and migraine headaches have all been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim has also been denied for periods when a 100% rating was granted due to surgical convalescence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of his diagnoses and their relationship to his reported in-service stressor.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2015 rating decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will obtain additional medical records, conduct a psychiatric examination, and provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The issue of service connection for bilateral pressure-induced otalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) is remanded due to the need for additional development.