Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was initially rated at 50 percent prior to September 23, 2015. Effective from that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied.

The Board's decision from 1982 incorrectly denied service connection for anxiety reaction, which was later found to be due to combat service in Vietnam. The claim is now granted.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is granted, while claims for major depression and skin disorders are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, bilateral flatfoot, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous VA examination is required for both the Veteran's diplopia and unspecified anxiety disorder to properly assess their current severity.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including TDIU and evaluations for various conditions. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of TDIU and has therefore remanded all matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, right and left hip disabilities, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder are denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a back disability. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as related to service-connected PTSD. Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea as caused by service-connected PTSD. Other conditions remain denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, decreased visual acuity, lower extremity vascular condition, and anxiety disorder. The RO must attempt to obtain relevant VA treatment records from Columbia, Missouri and Leavenworth VAMC, clarify the transportation arrangements with the correctional facility, and schedule an audiological examination for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including an adequate examination of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and a determination regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding his service-connected decreased function of the left hand was received within one year of the July 2017 rating decision. The remaining issues, including increased ratings for burns and scars of the left hand and forearm, anxiety disorder, and a TDIU claim, are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for anxiety disorder, and TDIU due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran will need a new examination to clarify whether he has a valid diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for a new one with an appropriate clinician to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's daughter, A.J., was not shown to have been permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 due to her disabilities. Therefore, recognition as a helpless child is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lung cancer, anxiety, high blood pressure, skin cancer, and throat cancer due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The decision on whether new and material evidence was received in order to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for depression is also remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability (to include anxiety, depression, or PTSD) during the appeal period and therefore denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for chronic epididymitis and adjustment disorder, as well as the TDIU claim due to the need for additional examinations and records. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not at issue.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, with anxiety disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and alcohol use disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent prior to May 8, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the need for further examination to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess the current severity of his anxiety disorder.