Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Board also remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and treatment records, which need to be obtained and reviewed. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is being evaluated for its onset during service or relation to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder. The VA is required to obtain a new medical opinion from an examiner other than the February 2012 VA examiner to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis in accordance with the DSM-5 based on MST.

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the issues related to active duty for training dates and other acquired psychiatric disorders need further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disability, have been denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and cervical spine disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the benefit of the doubt.

The Board has remanded the claims for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete records, including service personnel records. The VA will seek additional evidence and conduct a mental health assessment to determine if the veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his military service.

This appeal is dismissed for the issue of ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms has been granted an initial 70 percent rating from May 31, 2005 to January 2, 2013 and a TDIU has been granted.,An initial rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and mood disorder, is also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence corroborating the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a chronic respiratory disorder was denied, but his claim for anxiety disorder and erectile dysfunction were reopened. Service connection for anxiety disorder is granted, while service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorders, may be service connected. However, further examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions were aggravated by service or if they are superimposed on a pre-existing personality disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 30 percent prior to June 27, 2013; 50 percent from June 27, 2013 to April 25, 2016; and 100 percent since April 25, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was reopened and granted due to new evidence showing cold weather exposure in service.,Service connection is granted for anxiety disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.,Tinnitus is not service connected as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's mild impairment of memory resulting from a traumatic brain injury is granted, and he is not eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is remanded for additional development regarding hypertension, service connection for a psychiatric disability, and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Anxiety Disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right arm condition, including tendonitis, has been denied.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran’s PTSD exacerbates her irritable bowel syndrome.,A rating of 20 percent, and no higher, is granted for right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome.,A rating of 20 percent, and no higher, is granted for cervical spine strain.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition (abnormal kyphosis), hemorrhoids, chronic anxiety-induced indigestion, increased urinary frequency, and anxiety disorder.,,,,

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is being remanded for an updated examination and to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an anxiety disorder other than PTSD, and a depressive disorder is granted. The issue of secondary service connection for tinnitus causing depression is also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal of his anxiety claim was dismissed. His claim for a low back disability is granted.