Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks are currently rated at 70 percent from March 1, 2016. The Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted for the period prior to December 21, 2001.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as 40 percent disabling, and he is granted TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's conditions, specifically erectile dysfunction, venous insufficiency, stasis dermatitis, depression, anxiety, and their relationship to hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating than the current 50 percent assigned. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities was dismissed as moot because he had already been evaluated at 100% for his combined disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety has worsened, and a new examination is needed to assess the current impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, including his wasp stings and verbal abuse in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia, was denied as there is no corroborated in-service stressor. The Veteran's index finger injury to the right hand also did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy, CAD, anxiety disorder, right lower extremity varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, difficulty swallowing (residual of stroke), abnormal speech (residual of stroke), peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus has been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy has also been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work and his medical conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding records and a need for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incongruent diagnoses and evaluations of his mental health condition, specifically regarding PTSD. The VA will need to schedule a new examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any acquired psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and finds no evidence to support service connection for these disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 70 percent. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment due to these conditions. The Veteran also sought a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities but was denied as she is able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and mood disorder has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being remanded for further evaluation due to the inadequacy of the January 2016 VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MST. The issues include service connection, pre-existing condition aggravation, in-service onset of a psychiatric disorder, administrative separation recommendation causality, and hospitalization causality.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of anxiety disorder, as well as the claim for TDIU due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back strain, major depressive disorder and anxiety, and bilateral knee disorder due to inadequate examinations and incomplete opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran was not diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, PTSD, or a depressive disorder during his period of service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.