Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as an initial increased rating for anxiety disorder, NOS, were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in the Veteran's upper or lower extremities. For anxiety disorder, the Board determined that symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating prior to March 8, 2014, but did meet the criteria for a 70% rating thereafter.

The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability to include generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD is reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability to include generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD is granted. Service connection for other conditions such as cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and benign prostate hyperplasia are remanded.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for reopening and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder) is reopened, but the issue of whether it is related to service remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and generalized anxiety disorder prior to November 23, 2015 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The RO granted a disability rating of 70 percent for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran's stressors need to be verified, his psychiatric records should be obtained, and a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders and diabetes.

The Veteran's heart disability (including coronary artery disease), hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder is denied. Service connection has been granted for a thoracic spine disorder and rib disorder, both related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The remaining issues have been reopened, but further evidence is needed to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a mischaracterization of his service-connected disabilities and the need for updated information. A VA examination is required to reassess his PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks is rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this disability. The appeal for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for anxiety and depression, and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) based on new evidence provided by a private doctor.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder, with depression and anxiety, has been found to warrant a 70 percent evaluation since August 7, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation of his various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, hypertension, prostate disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and anxiety disorder NOS.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence now shows that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service in Vietnam, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and it will be reviewed again with consideration of this additional information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination.