Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 14, 2010 because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board is remanding to consider a higher rating.

Service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, eye disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, sinus disorder, cholesterol, and bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for anxiety disorder is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder (previously rated as dysthymia), has been rated at 50 percent since February 8, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims, including those related to hypertension, heart disability (atrial fibrillation), and hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the claims for rhinitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he currently has these conditions, and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions. Service connection will be determined based on the merits of each claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD have been granted with increased ratings, including a 50% rating from June 29, 2012 to January 17, 2017, and a 70% rating since then. He has also been granted TDIU effective June 29, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected, but his back disability is not. The right shoulder disability has been rated at 20% since April 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA mental health examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset in service or is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety disorder, and insomnia, is granted service connection. Headaches are also granted as secondary to the now service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sinusitis (now recharacterized as an upper respiratory disability) has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, fibroids, anxiety disorder, left hip limitation of flexion and extension, right hip limitation of flexion and extension, and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depressive disorders) is denied service connection. A rating in excess of 20 percent for hemorrhoids is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and bipolar disorder. The case is being sent back to obtain a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostatitis were denied as there is no direct or presumptive link between these conditions and his military service.,Tinnitus was denied because the Veteran's current diagnosis could not be linked to in-service noise exposure, and the VA examiner found that the condition more likely than not did not have a relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the establishment of service connection for PTSD is granted. The motion seeking revision of a November 2004 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is dismissed as moot. The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD prior to August 2, 2010 and for Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) benefits is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated during his second period of active duty service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's undifferentiated somatoform disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were rated at 50% prior to October 19, 2012. From October 19, 2012 to May 12, 2015, the rating was increased to 70%. For the period from May 12, 2015, a higher rating is denied.