Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder (NOS) with features of PTSD and mild recurrent major depressive disorder, was denied by the Board. The evidence showed that the Veteran’s conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's kidney disease, edema, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and other conditions.,Service connection was not granted for kidney disease due to insufficient evidence linking it to military service or exposure to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Further examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic related neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Effective January 31, 2014, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The claim for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, psychiatric disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and hand injuries, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and a claim for an increased rating for bilateral foot metatarsalgia with left fibroma. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish the required link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records. The issues of increased evaluations, service connection, and TDIU are all related and require further development.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to pending claims related to other conditions. The appeal will be deferred until all other issues are resolved.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psoriatic arthritis and kidney disorder are remanded due to the AOJ failing to notify him of their findings regarding his treatment records from 'Arthritis Associates' in Hixson, Tennessee. The Veteran also has secondary theories of entitlement for these conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a kidney disorder is remanded as he used Naproxen extensively to treat his service-connected orthopedic disorders and over time, the Naproxen damaged his kidneys.

The appeal for service connection for Klippel-Feil syndrome and a hiatal hernia has been dismissed.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety).,Service connection was denied for chronic sleep disorder and chronic memory disorder.,Service connection was denied for residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and right-hand condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address all psychiatric disorders, including GAD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood/anxiety disorder, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the onset of her mental health problems during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder (claimed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety. The issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has expanded the issue to include all diagnosed psychiatric disorders, and remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service includes a reported traumatic event involving shooting someone in Vietnam.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, may be related to his service-connected back disability. However, due to insufficient evidence in the record, a new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bronchitis and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s disability picture did not more nearly approximate the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 6600, and concluded he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his migraines and mental health issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease with coronary bypass graft, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar strain, mild muscle weakness in multiple extremities, and embolic stroke residual, were granted effective from March 31, 2016.