Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability are denied. Effective dates prior to July 27, 2012 for these disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for muscle weakness, severe stomach and abdominal pains, sun sensitivity, loss of appetite, unusual bruising, eye condition, hepatitis C, migraines, numbness of the left side of the face and body, numbness and tingling in the left foot, numbness and tingling in the right foot, left hand pain/numbness, right hand pain/numbness, brain damage, short term memory loss, dizziness, excess tiredness, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), and skin rash have all been dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals for these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, paranoid disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression due to incomplete evaluations and a need for additional evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are service-connected due to a verified in-service stressor of participating in a rescue mission for a merchant marine ship.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition, and thus denies an increased initial evaluation.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is granted at a 50% disability rating since April 16, 2008. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim is remanded due to the inadequate examination provided.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST) and sexual harassment by a female superior officer during periods of Active Duty for Training (ADT). The Veteran's claims are supported by her own testimony, corroborated statements from friends, VA mental health records, and private psychological evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin muscle injury was denied in the past, but new evidence has reopened this claim.,Service connection is granted for headaches. The Veteran reported head injuries sustained during boxing and football while serving.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case of service connection for depression/anxiety is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety/depression is remanded due to missing treatment records and personnel records. The AOJ will request copies of these documents, conduct a VA examination if needed, and determine whether new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression and Alzheimer's/dementia, were incurred during active duty service or aggravated by reactivation into service after May 2001. The VA is required to obtain an opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective for the appeal period. Prior to March 1, 2011, he was not found unemployable due to his service-connected disability. Beginning March 1, 2011, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A new examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; a gastrointestinal disability; and erectile dysfunction. The Board found no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder. The issue of service connection for a back disability is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has decided that more evidence is needed to determine the appropriate disability rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder and whether he should be granted a TDIU. The Veteran will need to provide additional VA treatment records, private medical records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. He will also need to undergo another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder, as well as a skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has merged the Veteran's separate claims for panic disorder and anxiety disorder into a single claim. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and service, specifically an incident involving tanks firing while he was repairing tracks.

The appeal for service connection of a pulmonary disorder (claimed as asbestos exposure) is dismissed. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied for the period prior to April 28, 2017. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.