Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and did not find new and material evidence to reopen the claim of a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety, finding that there was no medical nexus linking his current psychiatric condition to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was previously denied in November 1992. The Board has now reopened the claim due to new and material evidence, but the issue of whether PTSD is related to service remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence. The low back condition claim requires a new VA opinion, while the psychiatric disability claim needs verification of service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to his service-connected right knee and back disabilities were denied because the conditions did not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo (Meniere’s syndrome), and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran was exposed to gunfire during service but no VA examination or medical records were provided.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent since January 8, 2014. The effective date for the grant of service connection remains January 20, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides. The Veteran is also being asked to provide more information about his alleged exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS and panic disorder is granted. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is also remanding the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder other than OSA, including COPD, due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is remanding the issue of service connection for a skin disability due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is also remanding the issues of service connection for sleep disorder and anxiety disorder both related to PTSD due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is further remanding the issue of rating greater than 10 percent for GERD due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete service records, uncorroborated in-service stressors, and a need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as it is directly related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing evidence, specifically a September 2013 statement from the Veteran's friend R.J. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, unspecified anxiety disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have resulted in total occupational impairment. The Board has granted Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) based on the combined rating of 80% for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression with anxiety has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of major depression and anxiety, which is linked to his in-service complaints and treatment.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and has remanded the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a headache disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran must undergo further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for anxiety disorder is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated at zero percent and also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, need further evaluation by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.