Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and review the propriety of the rating reduction.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, general arthralgia, a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo and dizziness, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The issues are being remanded due to the need for new evidence or further review.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD with depression and anxiety, due to lack of a valid diagnosis. The Veteran's right knee condition was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are related to service. However, a remand is required to obtain an addendum VA opinion or additional examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hernia and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs to be examined by a VA clinician to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to military sexual trauma. The evidence now shows that her PTSD and other mental health conditions are more likely a direct result of her in-service MST.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to discrepancies in diagnoses and need for clarification from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and her service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional information and examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his conditions, particularly regarding his TBI and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal for sleep apnea was dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of rating lumbar strain, left leg disability (stress fracture), anxiety and depression, and TDIU.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted as service connected. The case for asthma remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted. The diagnoses are based on his reported stressors during the Vietnam war.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for psychiatric disability, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety, has been dismissed as the Veteran requested its withdrawal in a July 2017 correspondence.

The Veteran's service-connected GAD has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, characterized as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and social phobia, is rated at 70 percent since August 19, 2009. The Board denied a higher rating because the impairment did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and a sleep disorder, as well as bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is required to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.