Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 28, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The effective date assigned is September 28, 2012, which is the date of the informal claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and substance use disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as it caused occupational and social impairment but not to such an extent that would warrant a 70% or 100% rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for his psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 25, 2017. From July 25, 2017, the rating remains at 30 percent due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for hearing loss, Parkinson's disease, a psychiatric disorder, a sleeping disorder, and PTSD. The issues are being addressed due to insufficient evidence or need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as it was received more than a year after discharge. The rectum sphincter control disability, GERD, and PTSD claims are granted with increased ratings. The hemorrhoids claim is denied. The right wrist and left wrist disabilities, and headaches claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with Panic Disorder and for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear diagnoses and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder rating is being remanded due to the need for a new examination after a significant period without evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's TBI with tension headaches is rated at a noncompensable level since October 22, 2014. The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, unspecified personality disorder, and PTSD, finding no valid in-service stressor event to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The VA medical opinions concluded that his anxiety and depressive disorders were unrelated to his service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder is reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal remains pending as the Board has not decided on the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected anxiety disorder and radiculopathy conditions, effectively dismissing all related claims.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent effective August 6, 2012. A TDIU rating was granted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. An effective date prior to November 5, 2009 for service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent prior to April 9, 2018. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of this level.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his anxiety disorder and depression has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for anxiety and depressive disorders is granted. The claim for lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance due to wear and tear of his clothing from using a back brace was denied because the evidence did not show consistent use of the brace, which is required for the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess his acquired psychiatric disorder and groin muscle injury.

The Veteran's skin growths claim was denied. The cervical spine disability and anxiety disorder, NOS with PTSD symptoms ratings were restored to their previous levels. The right ankle disability rating remains at 10%. Effective dates for the increased ratings are not granted.