Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to adjudicate the special monthly compensation claim and has therefore remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder rendered him unable to participate in substantially gainful employment prior to May 25, 2016.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a current disability. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as there are insufficient findings on the relationship between the Veteran's symptoms and his military service.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, now characterized as panic disorder, resulted in total occupational and social impairment from December 21, 2010 to December 3, 2014. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent disabling, effective July 13, 2018. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for anxiety disorder is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for her general anxiety disorder with PTSD is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's kidney stones are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, her migraines at a 30 percent disability rating, and her adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is granted a 50 percent disability rating from March 8, 2012 forward.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the current rating adequately reflects his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is granted as service connected due to the link between his in-service trauma and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 3, 2014 are denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as he has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for traumatic brain injury was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims of PTSD, OCD, and anxiety disorder as well as an increased rating for generalized tinea infection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, chronic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression and anxiety), and insomnia. The Veteran's claims are not supported by clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The claim for coronary artery disease and hypertension was denied as there is insufficient evidence to associate these conditions with service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the cases of bilateral hearing loss and anxiety are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeals of the claims for kidney disorder, anxiety disorder, tumors of the legs (to include as due to Agent Orange exposure), and PTSD have been dismissed. The appeal for hypertension has been remanded. Appeals for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder are also remanded.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, back, hip, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for anxiety disorder and associated insomnia is being remanded due to the submission of new VA medical records without a waiver of AOJ review.