Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left wrist disorder, bilateral pes planus (flatfoot), and hypertension have been denied. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence related to the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety with depressive disorder disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The TDIU claim has been granted, but the initial rating for anxiety with depressive disorder remains under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has also remanded several issues, including an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae, effective date prior to September 18, 2007, for service-connected transverse myelitis of the left lower extremity and for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and/or anxiety) and a sleep disorder (to include insomnia and/or sleep apnea).

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and prostate cancer render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, eye condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) due to potential service connection issues. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, and remands for further development are ordered.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, NOS, is granted a 70 percent evaluation prior to October 17, 2018. The claim for an increased rating beyond this date was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, and the issues of service connection for a heart disability, rhinorrhea, tinnitus, peripheral vestibular disorder, additional compensation for a dependent, bilateral foot disabilities, cervical condition, cerebral vascular disease, arthritis of the bilateral ankles, and arthritis of the bilateral knees were remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymic disorder and military sexual trauma, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 19, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The Veteran was stationed in Seoul, South Korea, and also deployed during Operation Desert Storm/Shield.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination in a previous decision, and a new examination is required.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder) and narcolepsy have been granted service connection. However, the rating for his low back disability remains at 40 percent.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran had a psychiatric disability during service, which could potentially be related to his death. The case is being remanded for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral ankle tendinitis and hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to her service-connected acquired psychological condition (including anxiety).,Service connection for a thyroid condition is denied.,An increased rating for the Veteran’s acquired psychological condition (including anxiety) is denied, but the issue of service connection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for dysfunctional uterine bleeding is remanded.

The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for gastrointestinal disability and psychiatric disability resulting from a fall at VA in July 2012, but denied compensation for respiratory disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for unspecified psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, asthma (bronchial), and anxiety disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.