Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for schizoaffective disorder prior to July 22, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the severity of his disability most closely approximated a 50 percent disability evaluation during this period.

The Veteran's increased anxiety symptoms are not due to VA treatment, and service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, chronic fatigue, nervousness, shortness of breath, sleep problems, chest pain, joint pain, back disability, or compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's cause of death, pneumonia and respiratory failure, is related to his service-connected anxiety reaction with depressive features. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were both denied as there is no evidence of current disability within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety and depression to include PTSD is remanded due to incomplete records and inconsistent statements from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) are now pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorders is remanded. The neck condition rating appeal is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 16, 2012, for the award of SMC based on his spouse's need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence showing that his spouse required regular aid and assistance with daily self-care tasks before this date.

The Board has denied a temporary total rating for major depression with anxiety features and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral knee disorder, vision decrease, sleep apnea, heart murmur, anxiety, PTSD, and headaches as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions during or after service.

For the period prior to August 24, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.,For the period from August 24, 2015 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal for an increased rating and TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's rating for panic disorder with agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified was restored to 70 percent from April 10, 2013 to August 29, 2017.

The Veteran's social anxiety disorder with insomnia and depression has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective October 24, 2013. The Board also found that the Veteran’s service-connected eye disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records from 2004 to present. The Veteran's complete VA treatment records should be obtained.

The claim for service connection of a back disability has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. His persistent adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood associated with his bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further examination is required.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are being reviewed due to lack of VA examination opinions.