Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety was denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety prior to November 14, 2018 was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent from that date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim will be remanded for a supplemental medical opinion, while his psychiatric disorder claim requires additional VA treatment records and a supplemental medical opinion from a psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of record to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's preexisting migraine headaches are found to be aggravated by active service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy involving the sciatic nerve, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD, but there is conflicting evidence regarding its onset. An addendum opinion from a VA examiner is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression, anxiety and/or PTSD. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development. The Veteran's service connection claim is related to her reported military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as his reported in-service stressors are consistent with combat service and he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his deployment.

Service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder is granted as a new claim, effective November 1, 2012.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder were caused by chronic pain associated with his service-connected bilateral knee and right wrist disorders, and the Board granted service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, insomnia, and anxiety, are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the original September 2010 rating decision, thus the claim is not final. The Veteran's service records do not show any psychiatric symptoms during service, but he was diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and anxiety after service. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a lack of contemporaneous medical records. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA psychiatric examination by an appropriate medical professional.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression. The appeal is granted to this extent only, and the claims of service connection for low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including intermittent explosive disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorder and depression) are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is sufficiently disabling to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, anxiety disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to new evidence or further medical evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depression did not pre-exist service, nor were they aggravated by service. The Board found no increase in symptoms or frequency during or following his active military service.