Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic disorder and sleep disorder was rated at 100 percent, which rendered the TDIU claim moot.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for an adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted, and a TDIU is also granted. The appeal is granted to these extents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that while there was a pre-existing condition, it did not show evidence that active duty caused or aggravated this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of lower back pain. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, which resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, is granted an initial 70 percent rating from November 29, 2007.,From April 29, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran is found to have an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically anxiety, that is related to her service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a psychiatrist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The appellant's request for an extension of her DEA benefits beyond October 26, 2014 was denied as the evidence did not clearly establish by medical evidence that a program of education was medically infeasible due to her own physical or mental disability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but no total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

The Board has granted service connection for epilepsy, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include as secondary to epilepsy, and residuals of a nose fracture.

The Veteran's appeals on bone disease, diabetes mellitus, and forehead laceration were withdrawn prior to the promulgation of a decision. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted as secondary to TBI.

The Board has found the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and imbalance and dizziness. The Board also finds that an in-service stressor occurred during service. However, the VA examiner did not find a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran’s military service. Therefore, the case is remanded for further examination to address the Veteran's complete medical history and determine if his current psychiatric and balance disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has found the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and imbalance and dizziness. The Board also finds that an in-service stressor occurred during service. However, the VA examiner could not provide a nexus opinion due to lack of confirmation of the events and stressors reported by the Veteran. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinions on the issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as anxiety disorder, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating beyond the currently assigned 10 percent for right knee disability, 20 percent for right ankle disability, and no higher than 30 percent for anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and found that the Veteran's combined rating is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, left hip strain, bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and hiatal hernia, are deemed to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right shoulder scars, bilateral toe scars, or resection of metatarsal heads. His hearing loss was rated appropriately under VA guidelines. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was granted as new and material evidence had been received since the last denial in 2006.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria prior to January 5, 2011. Effective from that date, he met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability application records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are etiologically related to his active service. The claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder and anxiety were incurred during his active service, including his deployment from November 2004 to February 2006. The claim is therefore granted.