Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, Hepatitis B, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and a back disability due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is already at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The right knee disability and psychiatric disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for personality disorder, claimed as passive aggressive personality passive aggressive type, manifested by abuse of drugs is reopened and granted. Other claims are also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including shoulder, back, neck, hip, knee, foot, otosclerosis, tinnitus, heart, prostate, thyroid, diabetes, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The reasons given are that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for anxiety disorder, PTSD, or a psychiatric disorder superimposed on a personality disorder. The Veteran's claims are based on direct service connection and require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for an acquired psychotic disability, right knee disability, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the condition did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence linking it to in-service noise exposure or his service-connected hypertension.,The Veteran's skin condition, including vitiligo, is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar ankylosing spondylitis and cervical ankylosing spondylitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding medical records and the need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a psychosis to establish eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and a genitourinary condition, but has remanded the issues of service connection for a left shoulder condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, depression, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and PTSD is granted. The appeal for service connection for gastroparesis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a psychiatric disorder, an increased rating for right knee instability and DJD of the right knee. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to address his reported flare-ups.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. Service connection for IHD as due to herbicide exposure is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh, left thigh scar as secondary to service-connected gunshot wound to the left thigh, and unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders as secondary to service-connected gunshot injury. The injuries occurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to conduct a new psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety), a gastrointestinal disability (including gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)), and insomnia due to outstanding records from service treatment and personnel records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on whether the appellant was insane at the time of his offenses leading to a bad conduct discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors. The conditions of interest include dental issues, hallux valgus of the feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right ankle condition, varicocele condition, low back condition, left knee condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headache condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has worsened since his last VA examination, and he should be scheduled for a new VA psychiatric evaluation to assess the current severity of his condition.