Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder should be remanded due to incomplete records from the Charleston Vet Center. The case will need to be reviewed with these additional records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified. The decision will be reconsidered after further investigation and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary anxiety and depression is granted a rating of 100 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to February 23, 2012, is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety symptoms is granted as service-connected, and the rating assigned reflects this connection.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The stroke issue was remanded due to inadequate examination regarding its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted as service connected due to exposure during the Vietnam TET Counteroffensive.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder NOS but denied service connection for a hearing loss disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including OCD, anxiety, depression, and anger management disorder, were not shown to have started during her active military service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is granted as service connected. The right knee and left knee disorders are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion from a VA examination conducted in September 2012. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is now pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for anxiety disorder and hypertension was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not warrant a higher rating than what was currently assigned.

The Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis and congenital sacralization of the lowest lumbar vertebra with degenerative arthritis at worst limited flexion to 30 degrees, warranting a 40% disability rating prior to February 24, 2016 and from October 1, 2016. The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50%. A TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records. The AOJ should also consider a secondary service connection claim for anxiety as related to his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted a 30 percent rating, effective prior to July 13, 2015. Service connection for gastrointestinal disability (H. Pylori) is granted. The Veteran’s post-surgical residuals of the right small finger are rated at zero percent. Service connection for functional impairment of right hand grip and strength is granted. For the period prior to November 10, 2014, a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the January 2016 and January 2017 VA examination reports, which have conflicting diagnoses of dementia. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied due to the absence of any diagnosed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.