Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatitis has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is also granted as service connected.,The Veteran's hypertension and stroke are both found to be secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder (PTSD) and TDIU claim. The rating for his anxiety disorder remains at 10 percent, but he is seeking an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a stressor during service and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is granted with a 50 percent rating, effective from March 2, 2011. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder was denied in April 2002. The Board found clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the decision, as it did not consider the Veteran's diagnoses of depression and cognitive disorder. Therefore, an effective date of April 1, 2002 is granted for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for psoriasis and major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA treatment records are not currently associated with the claims file, so they need to be obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and hepatitis C, but granted service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic and anxiety features. The Veteran's claim for headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision also requires further examination and research into the Veteran's reported in-service experiences.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, with depressive symptomatology and anxiety is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The VA needs to obtain private treatment records and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, but the appeal is still pending for other conditions. The Veteran's diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome, hypertension, OSA, GERD, tinnitus, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sinusitis, and IBS are all still under review.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and increased rating for Anxiety Disorder NOS due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar II disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 8, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent from July 8, 2014, were dismissed. The appeal seeking entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence of exposure or a direct link to service. The claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder is remanded as there may have been a material change in the disability since the last examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle and wrist conditions, but has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected back disability prevents him from working in sedentary positions.

The Board has expanded the claim to include an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a new examination is required due to the inadequate opinion from the May 2014 VA psychologist. The Veteran's self-reported symptoms of depression at separation are relevant to her current claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of proper VCAA notice.