Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed with further medical examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety are rated at a 100 percent disability rating since July 21, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including her PTSD and anxiety/depression disorders. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current diagnoses and their etiology, including a need for an updated VA examination in accordance with the DSM-5.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding treatment records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, has been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS, alcohol abuse, and depression are being remanded for further evaluation as the current VA examination did not consider all relevant factors.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder have been granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent each. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chest pain and costochondritis, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA needs to obtain updated medical records and provide supplemental opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has expanded the appeal to include all diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran's request for a hearing was withdrawn due to non-appearance. Service connection is remanded as new evidence requires review and an additional medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression have been rated at a 70 percent disability evaluation, effective from April 11, 2011.,The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to its secondary nature to his service-connected anxiety and depression.

The appeal as to entitlement to service connection for a left elbow disability has been dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received; the claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent schedular rating for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder is effective as of August 23, 2014. The issue of TDIU prior to this date remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and examination, including a review of VA treatment records and an opinion on whether any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, panic disorder, and depressive disorder). The low back disability is considered to be due to deconditioning including excessive tone in the lower extremities and weak abdominal muscles. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as it is related to service.

The case is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and several other conditions. Additional development is required to determine whether the Veteran served on land in Vietnam, which could impact his service connection claims.