Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for psychiatric disabilities is granted. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's appeals for bladder disability, increased ratings for thoracolumbar and other service-connected disabilities, and TDIU were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for anxiety disorder with depressed mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinea pedis or an acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, but the issues of left knee and acquired psychiatric disorder remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to make a decision on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his service. The Veteran needs to be examined by VA to determine if he has any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and if they are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and whether the Appellant has status as a veteran for VA purposes. The AOJ is instructed to request specific details from the Appellant regarding his claimed disabilities and their potential relationship to his military service, including which periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA he believes are relevant.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claim for service connection of various conditions was not filed within one year of his daughters' 18th birthdays, and thus an earlier effective date could not be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and/or anxiety; for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his psychiatric disorders; and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and neurogenic claudication are remanded.

The Veteran's migraines have been granted an increased rating to 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The TBI and PTSD ratings remain unchanged.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective October 30, 2014. He also receives TDIU benefits since that date.,He was previously granted a 50% rating for his anxiety disorder in August 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right elbow disability and psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as secondary to service-connected residuals of fracture of right ring finger due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's vertigo and hypogonadism were not found to be related to service or his service-connected conditions. The seizure disorder was granted as secondary to hepatitis C, while the acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and insomnia) was also linked to the seizure disorder and hepatitis C.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and a higher rating for hepatitis C was not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.