Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is granted, with the effective date set at February 22, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and an initial rating of 50 percent for anxiety disorder with features of PTSD is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection is also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability (also claimed as anxiety and depression), a muscle disability to include as due to an unspecified undiagnosed illness, and a left leg condition. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's disability.

Service connection for headaches is granted, and a rating of 70 percent for service-connected anxiety disorder is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs to provide more information about his claimed stressors, and a VA examination is required to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's back disability, major depression, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorders are not service-connected. Osteoarthritis is also not service-connected. Bursitis is unclear if it existed during the appeal period.

The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for his service-connected anxiety disorder is being remanded due to doubt regarding the intent of filing a claim prior to 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and individual unemployability is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. His right ankle condition is granted as service-connected, but the lumbosacral spine DDD with mild disc bulge at L4-L5 and L5 S1 does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left wrist condition and his service-connected obsessive compulsive disorder with anxiety/social phobia are granted as service connected. The TDIU claim is denied because the combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of updated employment information, and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is also required to provide her most recent vocational rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected obsessive-compulsive disorder and chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as well as obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DJD with IVDS, radiculopathy of the left lower sciatic nerve, and Morton’s neuroma. The Veteran's Morton’s neuroma remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, to include depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, agoraphobia, and anxiety, has been sufficiently incapacitating as to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, to include depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, agoraphobia, and anxiety, has been sufficiently incapacitating as to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder, has been denied as there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety). The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence, as well as insufficient evidence to establish that any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of vertigo and/or staggering, nor did he during the appeal period. The claim for service connection is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as level II in both ears at all relevant points in time, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation throughout the appeal period.