Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 8, 2004 and May 3, 2017 are being remanded as the RO/AMC needs to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if an earlier effective date for TDIU is warranted, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability since at least 1973.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea, anxiety and depression, PTSD, left knee instability, right knee instability, and left knee chondromalacia patella and strain are all under review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The issues of bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and IBS are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypermetropia, astigmatism, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and PTSD) as the evidence did not show a superimposed injury or disease that caused additional disability during service.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder is granted. The initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent. Service connections are also granted for various other conditions including right hip, knee, ankle, foot disabilities, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions began during active service. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to the Veteran's current diagnosis being more accurately described as depression and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability as secondary to service-connected degenerative thoracic spine disease, history of residual fracture, transverse process of L-1 vertebra and low back strain, and for an increased rating for service-connected degenerative thoracic spine disease. The remand is due to insufficient opinions in the August 2013 VA examination report regarding whether the psychiatric disability was proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of depression and anxiety are being reviewed again.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen claims for tinnitus and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a left big toe condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, insomnia) due to additional VA medical examinations being needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to in-service harassment from his superiors. The Board found new and material evidence supporting the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on obtaining an adequate opinion from a mental health specialist.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate previous examinations and the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and private medical records from Dr. Michael Dee.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his anxiety disorder (psychiatric) is granted. The rating for tinnitus remains at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent and there is no effective date prior to July 22, 2013, for service connection. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examinations and the need for additional treatment records. The Veteran's GAD is rated at 30 percent, but he claims his symptoms of vertigo and dizziness are related to his service-connected anxiety disorder.