Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant’s representative withdrawing the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right leg condition is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD) and headaches are remanded.,Further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions are needed to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, TDIU, and did not reopen the claim for tinnitus. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently service connected but his PTSD does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service personnel records and unobtained hospital records. The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded as more information is needed, including a diagnosis of PTSD and whether it is related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran's low back and left knee disorders have been remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated as 30 percent disabled prior to May 23, 2013, and as 50 percent disabled thereafter. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, bilateral foot disabilities (including scars of the feet), and TDIU are granted effective December 23, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, but the evidence is inadequate to determine whether she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of her service-connected conditions. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician regarding the functional effects of her service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder prior to February 21, 2018 and in excess of 50 percent starting on this date has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The claims for duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pneumonic lung scarring are remanded.

Service connection is granted for PTSD and MDD due to a personal assault in service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and MDD, including Anxiety Disorder NOS, is remanded.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its remand directives and will again remand for further development, including obtaining a combined effects medical opinion to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatrist or psychologist to provide an opinion on whether his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to service. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, has been granted.,Service connection for PTSD will be considered again after obtaining a medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for an anxiety disorder has been denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the left fifth toe fracture and TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective May 23, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as there was no clear evidence of a link between the current symptoms and any in-service stressor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to active service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder arose in or is otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the inextricability of the CUE issue and the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.