Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the possibility of additional VA treatment records that may affect the decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to outstanding VA and private treatment records for the cause of death claim. The appellant's request for substitution will also be addressed during this process.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's insomnia is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar myositis (back condition), degenerative arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, left foot arthritis, right hip and left hip conditions, left ankle and right ankle conditions, a bilateral foot condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sleeping disorder, tinnitus, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood have all been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his tinnitus or adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim for the period prior to October 1, 2017 was denied as he did not meet the permanent and total disability requirement due to his non-service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The claim was also denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right hip with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS with anxiety, NOS is rated at 100 percent and he has other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. Therefore, the Veteran qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability (to include various mood disorders) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of a diagnosed anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, has been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent only. The secondary service connection issue remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and development of stressor claims. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are currently under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information provided by previous VA examinations regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The Veteran needs a new examination to clarify these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and because of a change in the rating criteria for mental disorders.

The Veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder are found to be aggravated by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for hemorrhoids/hemorrhoidectomy, effective from the date of grant of service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and there is no evidence that the gastric adenocarcinoma had its onset in service. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and cognitive impairment are granted, with an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depression, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.