Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features, Anxiety Disorder not otherwise specified, and PTSD, is related to his service. The preponderance of evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is rated at 40 percent since July 2, 2015. Service connection for anxiety, depression, and PTSD has been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded his claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence or attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The respiratory disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) are denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Service connection is also granted for these conditions as they are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record after a Substantive Appeal was filed. The VA treatment records are relevant and must be considered in an SSOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's medical expenses incurred at Euclid Cardiology Services on January 13, 2014 were eligible for reimbursement due to an emergency situation where delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his life or health. The nearest VA facility was not feasibly available and using a non-VA facility was considered reasonable by the Veteran.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran needs to provide more details about his stressors and undergo medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders and the severity of his diabetes.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and social phobia, is not service-connected as his skin disability does not cause or aggravate these conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the case is remanded to obtain a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of prurigo nodularis was denied, but he was granted a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a new VA mental health evaluation to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including depression and anxiety disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his experiences in service or his service-connected kidney condition. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected anxiety and depressive disorder is being remanded due to changes in his condition since the last examination. A new VA examination will be conducted to assess the current severity of his psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder and thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and levoscoliosis. Service connection is denied for a chronic rash.

The Veteran's PTSD and co-morbid depression and anxiety have been rated at 50% prior to September 19, 2016, and 70% thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran’s impairment from her PTSD more nearly approximated a 70% rating due to deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and unclear medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, lung disability, hernia disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The examination must be conducted to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for Factor V Leiden Syndrome (claimed as a blood disorder) was denied. The claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was also denied.