Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is considered in assigning the rating for his current disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's respiratory condition (including pneumonia) is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's memory and comprehension difficulties, mental health issues, nightmares, vivid dreams, irritability, anger, anxiety, mood swings, low coping abilities, depression, conflicts, hypervigilance, time lapses, compulsive/impulsive habits, gastrointestinal symptoms, joint aches, muscle fatigue, gum condition, genital warts, and an ear, nose, and throat condition (including as due to an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service) are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 18, 2018 was rated at 30 percent and denied a higher rating.,From December 18, 2018, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for an effective date prior to August 18, 2015 for bronchial asthma is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete records, including missing SSA records and VA examination reports. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide the Veteran with updated forms related to his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The right wrist osteoarthritis claim was denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, while the PTSD with anxiety, panic attacks and depression claim resulted in an earlier effective date of November 29, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether the Veteran's current anxiety and depression are related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, intermittent paroxysmal atrial flutter, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lung cancer with pneumonectomy and lobectomy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety) due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses that meet VA regulations, and because there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, pes planus (claimed as fallen arches), sleep apnea, and hypertension due to potential new evidence received since the last final decision. The Veteran is requested to provide assistance in obtaining any outstanding records.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder and anxiety do not warrant separate ratings. The claim for service connection for malignant prostate is denied. The claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 25, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for lumbar sprain are remanded. The claim for service connection for a sleeping disorder secondary to PTSD is also remanded. The TDIU claim is remanded as well.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, claimed as PTSD, is rated at 70 percent from January 31, 2013, forward. The rating reflects significant impairment in most areas such as work and social relationships.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Apnea due to unclear reasoning regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service personal assault stressor. The examiner must address potential markers of PTSD and opine on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxiety disorder has been reopened and granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the etiology of his low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Board has also remanded the claims of increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is secondary to his service-connected bilateral open angle glaucoma and left ventricular hypertrophy, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (anxiety), and Major Depressive Disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to in-service stressors.

An initial 50 percent rating, but no higher, for adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted. Other claims are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened and remanded due to the submission of new evidence, including VA treatment records and lay statements. A new examination is required to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service.