Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral great toe disorders and anxiety disorder NOS, but remanded the claims of sleep apnea and right hand/wrist disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran must provide additional records or authorize their recovery, and a VA psychiatrist or psychologist will conduct an examination to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 10% rating effective August 28, 2015. An initial 30% rating for IBS is granted effective August 28, 2015. The Veteran's MDD and GAD are rated at 70%, effective March 4, 2017.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is proximately due to his service-connected other specified depressive disorder, other specified anxiety disorder with unspecified other (or unknown) substance-related disorder. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for chronic urticaria and a psychiatric disability, including an anxiety disorder due to further development being necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected conditions of depressive disorder and/or hypertensive vascular disease. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's sleep apnea and these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, alcohol abuse, and erectile dysfunction. The remaining issues of service connection for low back disability, neck disability, bilateral arm neuropathy, mouth disability, and respiratory disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for panic disorder with agoraphobia and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his depressive and anxiety disorders, as he reported having suicidal ideation during his hearing. The rating assigned will be based on the current disability picture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depressive disorder), right shoulder strain, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The claim for service connection for a rash remains pending as new evidence was received but does not establish the current condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is found to be related to service events. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.,Tinnitus was also found to have its onset during service and continues to this day, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her psychiatric disorders, tension headaches, and sinus disability. The AOJ must obtain VA outpatient treatment records from March 2013 to the present and schedule a VA examination for an appropriate physician to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, has been reopened. The appeal is granted to that extent.

The Board has granted an initial 100 percent rating for the Veteran's anxiety disorder prior to April 1, 2017. The claim of service connection for a heart disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for myopia, uterine fibroids, and major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder. The cases are remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to his service. The claim for residuals fracture right leg remains denied.