Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete military personnel records and an unclear opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability existed prior to service. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his psychiatric disorder as it does not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression and PTSD, has been rated at 70% since May 31, 2007. The effective date for the TDIU is also set to May 31, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a psychiatric examination and additional records, including Vet Center treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the relationship between his current psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and the need for additional records, including VA and private treatment records. The examiner is also required to provide an opinion on whether any current diagnosed psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including his adjustment disorder and various musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His combined rating is at the maximum level.

The Veteran's application for a TDIU was denied because he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of proper notice and because the Veteran's private medical records have not been obtained. The VA will obtain relevant, outstanding private medical records from Dr. M.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The issues of PTSD based on military sexual trauma, an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety, depression, nervousness, and sleep disturbances, and migraines or tension headaches as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and organic affective syndrome with symptoms of PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim. The Veteran was last examined in June 2014, and there are indications that his disability picture may have changed since then.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of PTSD due to withdrawal by the Veteran and his representative. The claims for increased rating of psychiatric disabilities and TDIU are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for bilateral tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the issues of low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and polyneuropathies of fingertips are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased disability rating and TDIU due to his service-connected psychiatric conditions. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination, and all relevant medical records must be associated with the case file.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating for hypertension was dismissed. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, NOS, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection is also granted for a psychiatric disorder including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder, right ankle, alopecia, or anxiety disorder disability.,Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to alcohol use as a result of his anxiety disorder, and thus resolving doubt in favor of the appellant.