Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a more recent VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's depression is remanded for a VA examination to determine its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as due to a miscarriage that occurred during inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The Board found the evidence supports her claim and grants service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with anxious distress and panic attacks has been granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of the decision. SMC based on housebound status is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for an acquired mental health disorder (including depression and anxiety) and tinnitus. The lumbar spine disability is found to be aggravated by in-service injuries, while the other conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, recurrent strain with rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for headaches secondary to service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine with cervical muscle strain has been granted.

Service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as Major Depression and Adjustment Disorder, is granted. The reduction of the fibromyalgia rating from 40% to 20% effective March 29, 2013, is granted. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to multiple health conditions, including fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, cervicalgia, lower extremity radicular pain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, COPD, and anxiety disorder. The Board granted the claim for aid and attendance special monthly compensation (SMC) for care of the Veteran’s spouse.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, GERD, and acquired psychiatric disabilities including PTSD are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a connection between these conditions and his active duty.

The Veteran's TBI is granted, with the condition being at least as likely as not related to multiple head traumas sustained during active service.,The Veteran's headache condition and acquired psychiatric disorder are both granted, with the conditions being proximately due to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and cervical spine disability are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service.,High cholesterol claim is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee condition and PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. Additional evidence is needed, including VA treatment records, and a new examination by an appropriate clinician will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder and obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The claim for PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating, while the hypertension claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of seborrheic dermatitis, a mental health disability to include anxiety disorder, depression, and mood disorder, left knee DJD with meniscus tear, and right knee DJD with meniscus tear have been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder, finding that VA did not receive a prior informal claim and that the earliest date of receipt was April 3, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD is granted. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but the case is remanded for further development including a VA examination.