Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's GAD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relationships, judgment, thinking or mood prior to March 22, 2012.,From March 22, 2012, the Veteran's GAD manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Board previously granted SMC at the housebound rate from April 22, 2008 onward. However, due to a previous administrative decision discontinuing TDIU benefits, the RO did not implement this grant of SMC. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's neurobehavioral effects, including twitching, skin crawling, jerking, anxiety attacks, headaches, depression, and a nervous condition, are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is service-connected as it was caused by a verified incident of military sexual trauma (MST) during his active duty.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than chronic adjustment disorder, with mixed features (which includes PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and memory loss) is also denied. The Veteran's symptoms are accounted for in the existing rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records are needed to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to his ACDUTRA service or aggravated by his right hip disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a breathing disability, residuals of a pacemaker (abnormal heartbeat), and anxiety disorder. The evidence did not support current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he does not exhibit total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and possible relationship of his sleep apnea to service or other service-connected disabilities. Additionally, an appropriate VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his bilateral plantar fasciitis. The effective date issue must also be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Disorder) were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to his service-connected left testicle disorder. The Board found the preponderance of evidence against these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of his right shoulder disorder, insomnia prior to January 30, 2018, and anxiety disorder from January 30, 2018.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is rated at 50% from October 28, 2015. The service connection for a condition of kidneys (diabetes secondary) and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his cervical spine, low back, and psychiatric disorders were denied. The VA found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

An effective date of July 30, 2013, is granted for a 70 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder.,Effective dates of July 30, 2013 and May 19, 2014 are granted for initial 10 percent ratings for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, respectively.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development including VA examinations to determine current severity of service-connected disabilities and etiology of a deviated nasal septum disability. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee instability, right index finger amputation of distal phalanx, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and a need for further examination regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The examiner must consider all relevant evidence, including statements from the Veteran's family members.