Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need to verify a claimed in-service stressor and obtain another VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, as he withdrew his request. The issue of nonservice-connected pension was denied due to the appellant receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits which made him ineligible for concurrent receipt of VA compensation and pension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty. The claim for a total disability rating due to unemployability was granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, but an increased rating to 30 percent for limitation of extension is granted.,The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and an increased rating to 20 percent for limitation of extension is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,His claim for an increased rating for testicular cancer, status post right orchiectomy, remains pending and will be remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) has been recharacterized but is still pending as the specific diagnosis of PTSD was not provided in his original application.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for anxiety and depression disorder, as well as a TDIU based on these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had their onset during active duty and have continued since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 3, 2010 for service-connected asbestosis and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot as the claim has been fully granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with Insomnia and Personality Disorder.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic disorder. The Board granted TDIU as his service-connected disability renders him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea need further development due to conflicting medical evidence and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, is reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between any current psychiatric disorders and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disability is secondary to his service-connected enucleated left eye and/or meralgia paresthetica of the right hip. The examiner must provide an opinion on both causation (proximately due) and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance for knee brace and topical medication were denied. However, the Board granted a clothing allowance for his back brace due to credible testimony indicating it caused damage to his clothes.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety results in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder and a depressive disorder, both related to the Veteran's in-service stressor of witnessing a tank accident. The issues of entitlement to service connection for substance-related disorders, residuals of attempted suicides, hepatitis C, liver disorder, fatigue, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety disorder. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, scar disability, anxiety, and heart condition due to lack of a VA examination. The issues are related to service connection.