Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further development regarding the cause of death, specifically focusing on whether the service-connected PTSD and its psychiatric symptoms contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, is related to his service in Iraq. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection for tinnitus. The issue of reopening his previously denied claim for depression and anxiety not otherwise specified is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his pending claims for increased ratings and entitlement to service connection. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) as the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for any of the claimed conditions and there was no evidence linking them to a period of qualifying military service.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability (degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with mild canal stenosis and neuroforaminal narrowing) and now service-connected psychiatric condition.,High cholesterol is not a compensable disability for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities, including an examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorder, hypertension, right knee disability, left and right foot disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a new opinion regarding the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a CVA, anxiety, and depression due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The VA will conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected GAD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted at 100 percent in a November 2018 rating decision. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as 10 percent disabling prior to May 17, 2017 and 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder with History of Adjustment Disorder, warrants a rating of 30 percent prior to August 17, 2007. The symptoms include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to depressed mood, sleep impairment, and difficulty concentrating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, except for a denial of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, anxiety and PTSD).

The Veteran's headaches are related to a motor vehicle accident during active duty. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is remanded due to the Veteran's reported incident in service where he believes his drink was spiked. The claim of service connection for hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for anxiety disorder and entitlement to a TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, lack of recent examination, and incomplete information regarding employment status.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for service connection of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was granted. The effective date is set at February 24, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between his conditions and military service. The Board has determined that additional examination is needed in several cases, including left great toe condition, left knee condition, and pharyngitis.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders are currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 10, 2015. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to that date as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. The claim for TDIU based on these conditions was also denied due to the Veteran's ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset in service and granted service connection for it. The adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood claim is remanded due to outstanding treatment records.