Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted, as the current effective date (December 27, 2011) has already been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, as well as his reopenings of claims for acquired psychiatric disabilities, forehead lacerations, and right knee disabilities have been considered. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these reopened claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from November 28, 2017. The right ankle sprain remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims are granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and other conditions. The appeal is based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unclear nature of the Veteran's psychiatric diagnosis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and urethral problems. The medical evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to a showing of an etiological relationship between the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability and her service-connected removal of the uterus and both ovaries, as well as her current urethral problems.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his current psychiatric disorders, which the Board has remanded due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for PTSD. However, there is insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors, and the weight of the evidence is against a finding that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for General Anxiety Disorder and Left Foot Pes Cavus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 21, 2011, but no earlier, for a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim is remanded as the VA examination and opinion are needed to address the etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of medical opinions regarding the onset and causation of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his blindness due to eye disabilities and anxiety disorder, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, warranting a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder warrants a rating of 100 percent throughout the entire period of the claim, resulting in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks is considered to have started during his active naval service and has persisted since then. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.