Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now before the Board.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, gastrointestinal disability (peptic ulcer disease), acquired psychiatric disability (major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD), diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder with anxiety) and denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, left ankle and foot, gout, eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and major depressive disorder. The appeals were based on a direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and dental trauma. The Veteran is asked to provide more details about a claimed assault during service, and his claim for dental compensation will be considered in light of any new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, requiring a new VA examination for the Veteran's psychiatric disability claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities as well as left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands for a new one. The Veteran's service records show he was diagnosed with 'psychoneurotic' depressive reaction during his military service, which may be related to his current psychiatric issues.

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

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include depression and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnoses of depression and anxiety are found to be etiologically related to her in-service symptoms and stressors.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and left foot or ankle disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder, is being reviewed for service connection. The temporomandibular dysfunction claim is also pending as it may be related to an already service-connected condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is related to her service. Her claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of low back disability and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder, are found to have begun during service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety have been rated at 50% prior to February 23, 2015, and at 70% thereafter. The Board has also granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected migraine headaches, PTSD and anxiety disorder. Therefore, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis. The cases of bilateral knee disability and an acquired psychological disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding her employment and financial situation, as well as the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of her mental health conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, low back disability, otitis media, left ear pain, TBI, neurologic complications (panic attacks and night sweats), and nervous disability. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service diagnoses.