Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity joint disabilities, a bilateral eye condition (characterized as blurred vision), migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, all of which are secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including a VA examination under DSM-V criteria. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, is pending.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions began during or were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, memory loss, and primary insomnia are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) with consequent short-term memory loss, anxiety, and disequilibrium. The evidence does not support a finding that his CVA was caused by an injury or disease during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a repressed memory of in-service sexual trauma.

The Veteran's disability rating for chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety was granted at a 50 percent level. The matter of TDIU is remanded due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment status.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for anxiety disorder due to new and material evidence, but has remanded it for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for his psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's social anxiety disorder is rated at 50% effective September 20, 2015. The earlier effective date claim for January 2010 was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Generalized Anxiety Disorder is granted, subject to the controlling regulations applicable to the payment of monetary benefits. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Asthma is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for back disability, lower intestinal disorder (IBS and diverticulosis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and panic disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnoses to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right shoulder, right arm, and neck disabilities. The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for anxiety disorder but it remains in appellate status as the maximum schedular rating has not been assigned.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for service connection of Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Depression, Mood Disorder, and Insomnia was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 70 percent or an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for patellofemoral pain syndrome/chondromalacia patella, right knee is dismissed due to a lack of timely NOD. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder requires further development as there were duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical records and conducting an adequate examination.

The Board has granted reopening of claims for service connection for fatigue, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and migraine headaches. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for positive tuberculin reaction- purified protein derivative (PPD) test and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, alcohol abuse, panic disorder, and mood disorder, and insomnia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches, shortness of breath post aggravated deviated septum, and hypertension are REMANDED. The Veteran also seeks service connection for a deviated septum and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia). These claims are referred to the AOJ for further consideration.