Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left shoulder, low back, bilateral hip, and right ankle disabilities. The rating for post-concussion syndrome with cognitive disorder and adjustment disorder, with anxiety and insomnia is also being remanded for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for multiple sclerosis, constipation, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to their inextricable interrelation. The Veteran's claim for service connection for these conditions is now pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal, with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is granted an initial 50 percent rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety, effective February 22, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, clinical right L5-S1 lumbar radiculopathy, and clinical left L5-S1 lumbar radiculopathy.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's reported exposure to toxic chemicals during a flood and cleanup at Fort Leonard Wood in 1975. The VA is instructed to investigate further and obtain additional information.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and hypertension is granted. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the cause of his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Compulsive Personality Disorder is denied. Service connection is granted for PTSD and Unspecified Anxiety Disorder.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety results in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if the service-connected condition renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS with depression is rated at 50% since August 21, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings and TDIU was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression). The claim for increased rating of left foot plantar fasciitis is denied. A remand is ordered to obtain a nexus opinion regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, right knee instability, right knee strain, scarring on the neck, scarring on the hand and forearm, and depressive disorder. The claims have been dismissed.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his right knee osteoarthritis, left leg radiculopathy, and anxiety disorder NOS with bipolar disorder. The issues of increased ratings are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting aggravation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, but it was not rated appropriately. The case is being sent back for further evaluation to determine a proper rating.

The Veteran's chest pain is not related to service, but his psychiatric disorder was first diagnosed during service and may be due to stress. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is reopened.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, congestive heart failure, and hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, NOS with secondary alcoholism and cardiomyopathy as secondary to anxiety disorder were denied. The Board found that the effective dates could not be earlier than November 29, 2012.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, and sleep disorder, are found to be caused by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the hands has been denied as there is no indication in the record that he has been diagnosed with this condition at any time during the course of his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorder, remains pending due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.