Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claim for other specified anxiety disorder is granted. Claims for PTSD, depression, and hypertension are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, was rated at 30 percent prior to November 15, 2018, and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board found the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and pancreatitis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms warranted this higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the relationship between his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically anxiety disorder. The claim for right ear sensorineural hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder was denied in July 2013, and he did not appeal this decision or submit new and material evidence within a year. He filed another claim on April 23, 2018, seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection. The Board found that VA is precluded from granting an earlier effective date before April 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The Board grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and social anxiety is currently rated at 70 percent for the period from October 18, 2017 to the present. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS was restored to a 30 percent rating. The reduction in the disability rating for residual facial scars from laser hair removal was denied.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD are denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for right ankle and left ankle disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The claim for service connection for mental health conditions including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and dysthymia is denied. The claims for right knee disability, pes planus (flat foot), and degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and dysthymic disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service connection was also denied for benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms with obstruction. There was no evidence of onset during service or relationship to in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety and PTSD, as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and GERD, as there are insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to other disabilities. The Veteran will need additional medical evaluations to clarify these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical examinations and potential worsening of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's condition was found to be causally related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being evaluated based on their relationship to service.