Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service records show diagnoses of several acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. However, the VA examinations did not provide a clear diagnosis and opinion regarding these conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain new, adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his degenerative disc disease, anxiety disorder, hiatal hernia, migraine headaches, radiculopathy (left and right lower extremities), and eczema, render him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's psychiatric disability since March 7, 1995. The Veteran needs a new examination and retroactive opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety have worsened, requiring a higher disability rating. The Board has ordered an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for headaches. The psychiatric disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for anxiety disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected anxiety disorder. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain his treatment records from Dr. R.A., and he should be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of his anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified are related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder NOS, PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. The Board finds that the current disability requirement of direct service connection has been met, and the remaining question is whether such is related to an in-service event or illness.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to April 12, 2016 was denied. The appeal is REMANDED as there are issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine from April 12, 2016 is also REMANDED due to issues with service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. The VA examiner found that there is not enough evidence to link these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety and entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the failure to obtain his Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The SSA records will be requested, and if available, they will be added to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decision regarding whether VA's duty to provide a VA examination or opinion was met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is reopened and the appeal is granted. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the onset of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent from the date of service connection, effective September 28, 2012. The Veteran also received a TDIU and SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is reopened, but the Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and the relationship between his knee disabilities and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) and peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities. The effective dates are November 13, 2008, and September 24, 2010 respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that his current diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is not related to any in-service stressor or conversion disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, depression and anxiety, as there is no current diagnosis of such. The claim for rectal and colon cancer due to asbestos exposure remains pending.