Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, to include depression and anxiety, is remanded due to the lack of a recent VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including cyclothymic disorder and PTSD. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus due to inconsistencies in medical records and incomplete factual premises in previous VA opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and arrange for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his psychiatric disorder. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have already received their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service connected, with no specific rating assigned and effective date not determined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in 2005 due to the denial of a previous anxiety disorder claim. The effective date is set at May 23, 2014, when the Veteran filed his new claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The case is remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and remanded the issues of right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for seizure disorder with memory loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The claim for anxiety disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected depression with anxiety disability, rated at 70 percent disabling, renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records retrieval, and other procedural actions.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, is granted as attributable to his active service.,An effective date of October 30, 2011 for the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes is denied as there is no indication of actual bone loss or other maxillary impairment.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder, to include PTSD, is also denied due to the lack of current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder remains remanded as there is no clear indication of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD are granted with a 30% disability rating. Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety with alcohol dependence and bilateral hearing loss are not rated higher than the current assigned disability ratings. The claim for a TDIU is granted due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, the lowest available rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include tinnitus, hearing loss, heel pain, ankle pain, knee pain, psychiatric disorders, GERD, stomach condition, headaches, lung condition, sinus condition, and throat condition.