Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's anxiety with major depression is related to his active service and has been granted as a direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining the Veteran's complete treatment records and for a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on migraines, generalized anxiety disorder, and lumbar strain have been dismissed. Her fibromyalgia has been granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities rendering her unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disability has been withdrawn. Service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder due to military sexual trauma is granted, but the rating for right knee iliotibial band disorder, right hip limitation of extension associated with right hip strain, limitation of right hip flexion, and right hip limitation of abduction, adduction, and external rotation remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for schizophrenia with anxiety and hypertension due to new VA medical records being added to the file.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with jurisdiction and additional development is needed, including verifying the Veteran's duty status during a specific incident involving MOPP gear.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, previously diagnosed as PTSD, has rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his inability to remain sober and work effectively.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining outstanding treatment records and readjudicating the issues, including TDIU. The specific phobia/phobia of snakes with anxiety disorder case could significantly impact the decision on TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, cholinesterase deficiency, headaches, memory loss, insomnia, shortness of breath, frequent colds, rapid heartbeat, and smell and taste of oil field. The evidence did not establish a distinct disability or provide new and material evidence to reopen any of the claims.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety have worsened since her last examination, but the current rating does not reflect this worsening. The Board has ordered a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for anxiety disorder, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional records to be obtained, including private treatment records related to his genitourinary problems and incontinence. The claims for higher initial ratings for residuals of adenocarcinoma of the prostate, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and clinical anger due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and insufficient evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression as there is no competent medical evidence diagnosing PTSD in accordance with DSM-V criteria. The Veteran's anxiety disorder or depression began after retirement from civilian job.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tension headaches and a bilateral breast reduction mammoplasty, as well as entitlement to a TDIU were remanded. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to his military service. The Veteran needs to provide more recent medical records, including from a VA counselor, and undergo a new examination to determine if he has any acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, and whether these are related to his military service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood and insomnia is rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or exceed those required for a higher rating.