Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and anxiety disorder, as well as his claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder, heart disease, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU as of June 25, 2013.

The Board has ordered a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, are related to service. The remand also includes efforts to obtain inpatient records from Balboa Naval Hospital.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right finger disability, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, heart disability (to include coronary artery disease), hypertension, high cholesterol, melanoma, diabetes mellitus, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include anxiety).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder with alcohol dependence, to include depression and anxiety disorder is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and private medical records. The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a pilonidal cystectomy with scarring need to be evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as well as his bilateral knee and ankle conditions. The issues include determining whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to his in-service stressor and whether they are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with panic disorder without agoraphobia and major depression has been shown to be productive of total occupational and social impairment since January 11, 2008. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), PTSD, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is based on secondary service connection to a service-connected condition. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. Tinnitus has not been linked to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral temporomandibular degenerative joint disease and posttraumatic stress disorder with anxiety and panic disorders and agoraphobia are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and for additional development in connection with his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, cataracts, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, stroke residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety).

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse and PTSD is granted. The claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, due to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Bahrain.

The Veteran's skin condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is also remanded for an additional VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the disorders.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues related to service connection, including insomnia, nerve damage, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability and assigned a 100 percent rating, effective February 27, 2006. The Veteran is entitled to attorney's fees from past-due benefits arising out of the February 2016 rating decision that effectuated this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The appeal is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding secondary service connection for right hand disability, hepatitis C, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for various arthritis disabilities. The Veteran's service records show a diagnosis of anxiety reaction in 1990, but the VA opinion is based on inaccurate facts. Additional examinations are needed to address these issues.