Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and SMC were denied as there is no evidence of an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claim for anxiety disorder was granted with a June 5, 2012 effective date.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disorder and granted it as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety) is also granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. A rating of 10 percent is assigned for pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression with anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left ankle disability. No new evidence or material was presented to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS is service-connected and granted this claim. The issues of depression, respiratory condition, IHD, bladder cancer, hypoglycemia, headaches, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA mental health evaluation, as the previous one did not address his lay statements regarding symptoms in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of credible stressor and no other evidence linking his current diagnoses to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee/leg disorder, left knee/leg disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder to include severe depression and anxiety before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence on whether the Veteran has PTSD and if so, whether it is related to service. The claim will be further evaluated after a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and opioid use disorder. The claim for a higher rating for acne scars was denied, but the TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 10 percent since December 8, 2016. The VA examiner found the Veteran's symptoms to be mild and transient, with no significant impairment in work or social functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service stressors and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and procuring private medical records. The Veteran is also to be provided with a VA examination to assess whether he has Parkinson's disease and any acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as an opinion regarding his anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, is attributable to active service. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD with anxiety, which is related to his in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current mental health conditions are not attributable to any in-service event or injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression are related to his service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's hand tremors are caused by the medications used to treat his service-connected disabilities, and he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions.