Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's depression with anxious distress has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and a need for further development of the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including cognitive disorder, organic anxiety disorder, and dementia. The decision also addressed other issues such as tinnitus ratings.,Service connection was not granted for either condition.

The Veteran does not have PTSD or a depressive disorder causally related to service, but he does have an anxiety disorder causally related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a grant of service connection for PTSD or a depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder, is related to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for sinusitis and 50 percent for anxiety disorder, effective July 21, 2016.,Sinusitis has been rated as noncompensable prior to July 21, 2016. From that date onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA and private medical records, as well as a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the current records do not provide sufficient information to make a decision on the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder. Therefore, a new VA examination is required.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service event and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression.

The Veteran's GAD was rated at 70 percent from February 18, 2004 to February 20, 2013. From February 20, 2013, the Veteran is granted a total disability rating for his GAD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression have been service-connected based on the evidence of record, with no indication that any specific exposure basis applies.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 10, 2017 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. Depression and anxiety disorder were also considered but did not warrant separate ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety have been rated at a 70 percent disability level since April 14, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms of social isolation, crying spells, irritability, sleep impairment, and depressed mood resulted in deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mood/depressive disorder is caused by his service-connected PTSD and alcohol use disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case has been remanded to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders existed prior to service and were aggravated during service.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability, effective May 27, 2014. The Board also grants entitlement to TDIU.