Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw all claims on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression) was dismissed because she agreed with the assigned 70 percent disability rating, which covers the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's lung cancer and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are both granted service connection. The rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the left wrist is increased to 10%. The rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the right wrist remains at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability, plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or anxiety disorder.,The VA examiner found no evidence of a right knee disability during service and concluded that any current right knee disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, pain disorder associated with arch pain, gouty arthritis, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and bilateral pes planus have been rated as 50%, 20%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, and 0% respectively. The combined rating is 70%. The Veteran's major depressive disorder has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a cardiac disability, and a psychiatric disorder other than anxiety are not granted. The cases have been remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, will be evaluated further.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to March 28, 2017 and now receives a 10 percent rating from that date forward.,The Veteran’s hypertension is not service-connected. The VA examiner opined it is less likely than not caused by or related to his active duty service.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to clarify diagnoses and provide etiological opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that his fear of terrorist attack in service is a credible stressor.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating higher than 70 percent for anxiety disorder, effective date for tinnitus service connection, and TDIU. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. An effective date of November 2, 2016, but not earlier, was granted for the award of service connection for tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, which had its initial onset during his third period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to obtain an addendum VA examination/medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease, erectile dysfunction (claimed as penile condition), depressive disorder secondary to PTSD, and sleep disturbances are all granted. Anxiety is denied due to being a symptom of other conditions. The Veteran also receives an initial evaluation of 70% for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder other than his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's January 1967 claim for service connection for residuals of head injury must be reconsidered. The appeal is remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's gout claim was denied, but service connection for anxiety disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer residuals were all granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fracture and sprain of the left ankle was denied. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is still pending.

The Veteran is entitled to educational assistance benefits at the 100 percent level due to his service-connected disabilities and discharge from active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Board found that new evidence supports a finding of a current diagnosis related to service, thus granting the claim.