Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further medical examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, are being evaluated based on new evidence. His sexual dysfunction is also under review.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) has been rated at 30 percent since August 6, 2004. The Board found that the current level of impairment does not warrant a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a more severe disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a seizure disorder is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and a mental health condition (unspecified anxiety disorder).,All three conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for anxiety disorder, left hip disability, and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were granted with specific disability ratings.

The appeal for service connection for anxiety and insomnia is dismissed.,The reduction of the PTSD with TBI rating from 70% to zero percent effective October 1, 2018 was improper and is void ab initio.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's anxiety disorder and service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder has prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment since July 13, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU effective as of that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran’s request for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability remains denied as there is no evidence that forward flexion is 30 degrees or less, or that favorable ankylosis has occurred.

The Board found the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and his scars do not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The DJD of the right shoulder requires further examination to determine its severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lower back condition, left leg condition, left knee condition, bilateral hips conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, bilateral foot conditions, anxiety, depression, COPD, headaches, and loss of right kidney are denied.,Right knee and right leg conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and a need for further examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in October 2006 and again in January 2011. The Veteran filed a new request to reopen her claim on February 26, 2016, which resulted in the grant of service connection for PTSD effective that date.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD but does have diagnoses of anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcoholism which are related to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether PTSD is related to service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability from the rating issue.