Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma, is remanded as new evidence has been provided and the issue requires further examination.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression disorder is rated at 70 percent from March 9, 2007 to June 13, 2013. The claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for meningitis, renal failure as secondary to meningitis, headaches as secondary to meningitis, PTSD as secondary to meningitis, depressive disorder as secondary to meningitis, and anxiety disorder as secondary to meningitis. The Board found that the appellant does not have any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the Board denied both DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his service. The claim is reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and undergo an addendum examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain another VA examination and medical opinion in order to address the Veteran's claimed symptoms and determine if they are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety and depression is granted. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee and back disorders are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death, specifically addressing whether the Veteran's anxiety disorder contributed to his inability to communicate and thus to his death.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that the symptoms described by the Veteran are consistent with a 50 percent rating and do not warrant an increase in disability compensation.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service connected due to in-service military sexual trauma.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, MDD, Anxiety, and Mood Disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the August 2017 rating decision. Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depression and bipolar disorder is remanded. Other claims are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies with the Veteran's reported stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attacks was denied. The Veteran also had his left ear hearing loss rated as non-compensable, and service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, hypertension, and headaches as well as higher ratings for a back, left sciatic nerve, and right sciatic nerve disabilities due to outstanding VA examinations.