Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and sleep disorder were denied. However, the effective date for his service connection for depressive disorder was granted prior to July 7, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) features was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and development of stressor evidence. The Veteran's statements, including his testimony at a Travel Board hearing, suggest that his current psychiatric conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression and anxiety NOS are now rated at 70 percent effective from May 13, 2019. Obstructive sleep apnea and migraine headaches have also been granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted, but the case is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his pending appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, anxiety disorder, depression, and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,The appeal for an increased rating for the service-connected mood disorder as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for loss of vision, bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety with depressed mood due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being reviewed.

The Veteran's skin pigmentation disability is granted with a 10 percent rating. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder is granted as the evidence shows that his current psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is related to an in-service assault.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and panic disorders, is granted. The claim for PTSD is denied. Service connection for a heart condition is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and mood disorder is rated at 70 percent since April 8, 2014.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU effective February 11, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back muscle spasms, claimed as secondary to her adjustment disorder (claimed as PTSD with anxiety), is remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and related conditions has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence supports a diagnosis of these conditions. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the current symptoms are related to his in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee strain, and right hip strain due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosis, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety (including agoraphobia), and depression have been reopened. The Board has decided that new evidence received since the last denial supports reopening these claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence received since his last Statement of the Case. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any recent medical care providers and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left shoulder disorder, both secondary to his right thumb disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service.