Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder is dismissed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (formerly diagnosed as psychogenic skin reaction) has been granted increased ratings: 50% prior to June 11, 2018, and greater than 50% from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to obtain additional service personnel records, including those from the 1998 deployment. A VA examination is also required to determine if any psychiatric disability is related to military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his anxiety disorder alone did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to MST, anxiety and depressive disorder, is remanded as new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including providing notice and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and COPD secondary to PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD, as well as to assess the severity of her generalized anxiety disorder, lumbar disc disease and strain, and surgical keloid scar. The issues related to these conditions have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical nexus opinions and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence from the Veteran's sister.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hernia and residuals of miscarriage, including anxiety and depression. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition, a higher rating for left heel bone spur, and a higher rating for left eye injury with floaters are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms cause significant social and occupational impairment, warranting an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is stayed. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hiatal hernia, and PTSD are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the proposal to sever service connection for other specified anxiety disorder because it was only a proposal and not a final determination.

Entitlement to an initial disability rating for service-connected headaches higher than 30 percent prior to April 24, 2019 is denied.,Entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) based solely on service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates were withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is related to his military service. The knee disability and low back pain are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's current health issues and inability to communicate effectively. The case involves a claim for an increased evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder and a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining treatment records and considering whether special monthly compensation is warranted due to an increased rating for adjustment disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and generalized anxiety disorders, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his military service.