Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. The Veteran will need to provide additional information about his stressors, obtain updated VA treatment records, and undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected dyshidrotic eczema. The issues of entitlement to an increased disability rating for dyshidrotic eczema, entitlement to a TDIU and entitlement to nonservice-connected pension are remanded.

The Veteran’s anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms more nearly approximate a higher rating.,The effective date for service connection of an anxiety disorder has been set to November 25, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, headaches, and head scar.,The Board is requesting an addendum opinion from a neuropsychiatrist or other TBI specialist to address the relationship between the Veteran’s in-service head injuries and current mental health conditions.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent disability rating for his service-connected unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder from October 18, 2012 through January 14, 2018.,A 100 percent disability rating was granted for the same condition starting on January 15, 2018. The Veteran also received a TDIU prior to January 15, 2018.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent from September 24, 2012 through July 12, 2018. The issue of a TDIU prior to July 30, 2018 remains pending.

The Veteran's application for a TDIU was denied because he is not service connected for any disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with dysthymia was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, but the case is remanded to determine if right knee degenerative arthritis should be considered secondary to left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for TBI residuals, PTSD, and the reopening of service connection for an anxiety disorder due to lack of credible evidence supporting these claims.

The appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for histamine headaches is denied.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for anxiety disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied in a May 2005 decision. New evidence has been submitted, reopening the claim and remanding it for further examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The claim for service connection will also be addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar disc bulge, L5-S1.

The Board has denied an effective date prior to April 28, 2016 for the award of a 60 percent rating for left total knee arthroplasty. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for osteoporosis, claimed residuals of a fractured back, anxiety disorder, and PTSD as the evidence did not show any in-service injury or event related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and a sleep disorder have been denied as there is no evidence to support the contention that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, tinea cruris, and a left knee disability are on appeal. The claims will be remanded to obtain updated treatment records and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit additional evidence. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury.,Service connection for depressive disorder, NOS was granted with an effective date of December 14, 2010. The Veteran did not file a claim prior to this date.

The claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with anxiety attacks prior to June 19, 2015 is dismissed. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to a service-connected disability is remanded.