Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and missing medical records, particularly from VA clinics in San Antonio and McAllen. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions need to be re-evaluated by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's scars were initially assigned a noncompensable rating, effective December 7, 2010, and a 10 percent rating, effective May 24, 2016. The Board found no basis for a compensable rating prior to May 24, 2016, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's diabetes was rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7913. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus at any time during the appellate period.,Diabetic neuropathy of the left foot and right foot were each rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 8520, which pertains to neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. The Board found no basis for a higher rating for diabetic neuropathy of either foot.,PTSD was remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to September 8, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for an anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, a more current VA psychiatric examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's anxiety disorder, and an opinion regarding his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities must be provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and his military service. The Veteran was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2001, but there is no medical opinion linking it to his service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and General Anxiety Disorder, due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, undress, or bathe himself as a result of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for a higher rating for low back strain with spondylolisthesis. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other two issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that his current mood disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder strain and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotions and conduct. The severance of service connection for right shoulder strain is also being considered.,Issues related to initial compensable ratings for neck scar and pseudofolliculitis barbae are also pending.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of competent and credible medical nexus linking the current diagnosis to service. The Veteran's reported stressors were corroborated but not linked to his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric conditions, including depression and anxiety, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's need for aid and attendance began on September 11, 2009, due to her severe physical and mental disabilities caused by a Staph infection. As of this date, she required regular assistance from another person.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, finding that his anxiety disorder is not related to his active military service or service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at MPNBH on August 17, 2015, as the Veteran's condition was not of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health.