Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with underlying depression is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective September 13, 2005.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected anxiety disorder with underlying depression.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was denied as his flexion and extension were within normal limits, and he did not have instability or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.,For anxiety disorder prior to June 4, 2018, the Veteran was found to meet criteria for a 50 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The claim for a higher rating was denied.

Service connection is granted for right knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for left knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain, disc herniation, and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and/or anxiety disorder. The Veteran will be provided with all relevant treatment records and must undergo an examination by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 100 percent since March 9, 2010. The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the entire period under review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records that need to be obtained, as well as a new VA examination for clarification of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability(ies).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was granted effective January 24, 2006. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of anxiety disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's MDD and NOS were granted a 30% rating from June 19, 2013 to May 8, 2016, and a 50% rating thereafter. The earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, lumbosacral spine strain, cervical spine strain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for service-connected anxiety disorder with alcohol abuse, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder claims, including PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: one regarding a higher initial rating for anxiety disorder and another about service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of a diagnosis, but he now claims he should be diagnosed with PTSD. For the anxiety disorder issue, the Veteran argues his May 2013 VA examination was inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his psychiatric and heart conditions. The VA is required to obtain relevant medical records, including those from VA facilities and private doctors, and provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU were denied as there is no effective date prior to September 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressor, which is necessary to establish service connection for PTSD and anxiety.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis meeting VA criteria for PTSD and insufficient medical evidence to link the current anxiety disorder to his service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder prior to April 10, 2017 was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors reported by the Veteran, and for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, and requests additional examinations and records.