Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and anxiety, is dismissed because the issue has been granted in a January 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks is rated at a 30 percent rating after June 22, 2007 but prior to October 29, 2008. The symptoms include frequent panic attacks, depressed mood, and sleep impairment, which have caused occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and anxiety. The evidence shows that the Veteran's sleep disturbances are at least as likely as not due to his PTSD, which is a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder, is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, was incurred during military service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and erectile dysfunction (as secondary to PTSD). The claims are being remanded due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors for PTSD, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, irritability, and anxiety, are related to his service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his anxiety disorder and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety, was restored to 100 percent from August 1, 2013 to May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was denied due to lack of evidence. The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes is denied as no new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of evidence. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information about his theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is rated at a maximum of 40 percent from February 11, 2013. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for this condition.,For the period prior to February 11, 2013, the Veteran’s hypothyroidism is rated at 60 percent. For the period on appeal (from February 11, 2013), the Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety during the appeal period, but the VA examinations did not adequately address whether these conditions are related to service. The claim is remanded for a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was denied. The reduction of the left knee disability rating from 20% to 10% was not proper, and restoration of the 20% rating is granted. A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for right knee surgical scars is denied. An increased disability rating higher than 30% for residuals of right knee torn meniscus with chondromalacia is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 70% for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 10% for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 10% for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The effective date earlier than July 1, 2014 for the award of a 30 percent rating for the right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was denied as the earliest effective date permitted under VA regulations is August 16, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including cyclothymic disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, anxiety, polysubstance abuse, and schizoaffective disorder is granted. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety and panic disorders was granted a 70% rating from January 12, 2015 to February 20, 2017. A 100% rating was granted since February 21, 2017. The Veteran also received a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) effective January 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.