Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and any other acquired psychiatric disorders are being reopened.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right-knee disorder, right-ankle disorder, left-ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as they were not caused by events or illnesses during active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and PTSD, is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU due to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease was granted, with the effective date being prior to May 2, 2017. The claims for left knee strain, right knee strain, left thumb disability, fracture of the ring and little finger of the right hand, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and generalized anxiety disorder were all granted.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder NOS was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring it.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neurological disorder, and TDIU due to issues with development of records and need for additional opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no causal relationship between his military service and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent from October 1, 2010 to January 21, 2013, for generalized anxiety disorder was denied. A disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher, from January 22, 2013 to February 7, 2019, for generalized anxiety disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a generalized anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to deficiencies in the December 2018 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for anxiety disorder due to the submission of new VA treatment records. The cases will be readjudicated in a new Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application for educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) was denied because his character of discharge from active duty did not meet the requirements for eligibility.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder, and residuals of a head injury are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as well as sleep apnea, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, finding that his current mental health issues are more likely related to long-term alcohol use rather than military service.

The Veteran died due to methadone and oxycodone intoxication. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of death, but the Board finds a remand is required to determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service caused or aggravated his polysubstance abuse.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current diagnosed anxiety and panic disorders were incurred in or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, needs further development. Specifically, they need to obtain SSA records and a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service-connected. The cases of anorgasmia, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bursitis of the left hip, status-post trauma to the left thumb and middle finger, and traumatic brain injury are all remanded for further evaluation.