Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's CAD disability is rated at 60% from December 2, 2013 to June 26, 2017. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date and denied the claim for a TDIU prior to December 2, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new VA medical evidence. The RO will review this evidence and issue a supplemental statement of case.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been rated at 30 percent since June 30, 2009. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions on the Veteran's mental health diagnoses and treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any private treatment records, and undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the appeal can be decided. The Veteran's psychiatric disability may have pre-existed service, and further examination is needed to determine its etiology. The TDIU issue also requires additional development.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date are remanded due to the need for adjudication of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in previous rating decisions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 18, 2013 for the assignment of a 70 percent disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder and a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are related to his active duty service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD, anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and a respiratory disorder (asthma) is granted. The issues of service connection for PTSD, asthma, and GERD are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a headache disorder and remanded several other issues including service connection for a sacrospinal disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and insomnia), a cervical disorder, total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder), finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. Service connection for PTSD was not established due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and Anxiety Disorder) is denied. The effective date remains September 3, 2010, as the earliest possible date for which service connection may be awarded. His current disability rating of 70% for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for lumbar myositis, service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar myositis, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) due to inadequate VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of medical records prior to service and insufficient evidence regarding whether pre-existing psychiatric disorders were aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted with an effective date of August 24, 1996. The original claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with anxiety disorder, NOS has been rated at 70 percent since July 27, 1999 and a TDIU was granted from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergic rhinitis, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a trauma and stressor related disorder, but the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.