Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, anxiety disorder with panic attacks, TMJ as secondary to psychiatric disability, right ankle disorder, thyroid disorder, eye disorder, high lipid count, and weight gain has been granted. The rating assigned is 70 percent for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for right shoulder dislocation, right ankle sprain, left ankle disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) are dismissed since they were withdrawn. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, GERD, lead poisoning, itchy skin, diabetes mellitus, headaches, and anxiety disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression, is being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The AOJ must obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA mental disorders examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, tinea pedis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than anxiety), finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 23, 2009 for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for a variously diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including diagnoses of mood disorder, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. The claims for TBI, PTSD, interstitial bronchiolitis and respiratory bronchiolitis, asbestosis, and increased evaluation for COPD are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, warrants a higher rating than the current 30% prior to January 28, 2015, and 50% thereafter. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed due to the unduly remote nature of the April 2015 examination.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous examination is needed to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with agoraphobia, and further development is required to determine if any employment activity constituted substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric condition and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required for both conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. Service connection is also granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The claims for TBI, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, sleep disorder, and GERD are all remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes and its complications. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and a psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder) due to incomplete records and need for further verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.,Direct service connection for alcohol dependence is denied due to the Veteran's own willful misconduct.,Service connection for skin disorder (undiagnosed illness) is denied as there is no objective evidence of signs or symptoms.,Service connection for left lower extremity numbness and right lower extremity numbness (undiagnosed illness) are denied as there is no objective evidence of signs or symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2013. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for chronic sinusitis and PTSD due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records from SSA and VA. The Veteran's service connection claim will be further examined with a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with symptoms of PTSD, is rated at 70 percent and not higher. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.