Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease, is related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for a right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent since May 9, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his alleged involvement in covert operations during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for anxiety disorder with OCD symptoms was dismissed. The claim of service connection for a left ankle condition is reopened, but the claims for right ankle, left knee, and right knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions related to his military service, including cancer, shoulder issues, taste loss, numbness, fatigue, psychiatric disorders, and other health concerns. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by loss of sense of taste, including any related conditions such as burned tongue or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by numbness of the left side of the face, neck, and chest, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or fatigue. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by chronic fatigue, including anemia and any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residual scars related to cancer treatment, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a disability manifested by neurological deficits, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a thyroid disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including diarrhea and constipation, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for acid reflux, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and other manner of sleep disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, needs further development due to incomplete medical records and the need for an opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50% between July 9, 2010 and August 4, 2015. The rating is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified stressor-and-trauma-related disorder, is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than the unspecified stressor-and-trauma-related disorder and a TDIU based on service-connected conditions is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's credible account of an in-service personal assault is sufficient to establish a diagnosis and link between his current symptoms and the stressor. The Board also found support for other acquired psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected stressor related/anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) rated at 70 percent does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his honorable periods of service and for health care under Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence submitted since the last denial was found to be cumulative and not new or material.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied it for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's ED, MDD with anxiety, and brain atrophy are remanded for further review.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for eczema and granted service connection for rhinitis. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as well as a skin condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability or his acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and PTSD). The case is being returned to the RO for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has reopened the claim and found that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.