Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Veteran is required to provide additional information or authorization for any outstanding private records, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has been diagnosed with MDD, GAD, and depressive disorder secondary to medical issues including pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's claim for attorney’s fees related to past-due benefits from March 1993 to September 2011 was denied as the Veteran did not have a service-connected disability or combination of disabilities rated at least 50% disabling, and therefore could not receive concurrent VA compensation and military retirement pay.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation of 70% for generalized anxiety disorder from August 12, 2013 to December 16, 2015 is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 70% for generalized anxiety disorder since December 16, 2015 is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and his request to reschedule. The cases are now pending with new examinations scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if there is a current psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service-connected disabilities, as well as to obtain updated treatment records. Separate ratings are also requested for any external popliteal (common peroneal) nerve impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral flat feet remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain (low back condition) is remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately address potential contributory factors from a motor vehicle accident during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety and depression remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 29, 1991, for the award of service connection for anxiety is granted. The matter of assigning an initial rating for anxiety prior to November 7, 1996, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to insufficient information provided by the JSRRC. The case will be further developed with additional medical records from Dr. James Gallo.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS and mood disorder, NOS are related to his military service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed below.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a sinus condition, a 2" scar to the left knee, generalized anxiety disorder, and entitlement to a compensable rating for middle finger pain of the left hand.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for panic disorder with agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder prior to September 27, 2016 was granted. The decision also noted that the Veteran’s symptoms warranted a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU from June 2015.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, is granted. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are each rated at 10 percent. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with depressive disorder, PTSD, and cognitive disorder was granted a 30 percent rating prior to January 18, 2011. From January 18, 2011 to February 4, 2013, he received a 50 percent rating. Since February 5, 2013, the Veteran's anxiety disorder was denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a seizure disorder and anxiety disorder has been granted, with the seizure disorder being reopened due to new evidence. The anxiety disorder is found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to further development being necessary, including obtaining STRs and private medical records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, but did not reach a decision on this issue.