Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for residuals of a head injury, mixed personality disorder, and bipolar disorder, as well as his claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for coccyx fracture with lumbar strain. The Board finds these appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. The claim for service connection for anxiety as secondary to PTSD has also been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to his military service, particularly an in-service personal assault. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has found that further development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and sleep apnea, as these conditions are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and remanded issues for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted service connection, as it is secondary to his service-connected pansinusitis with headaches. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for pansinusitis with headaches is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability rating and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression have been service connected. The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his anxiety disorder and TDIU due to insufficient information in the record, including a lack of recent mental health treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all providers he has seen for mental health treatment, and any relevant records should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and obsessive behavior is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for TBI was withdrawn by the Veteran in June 2019.,The Veteran's tension headaches and anxiety disorder were both denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, MDD, and PTSD, are found to have begun in service and continue since then. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as secondary to his service-connected keloid scars. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s psychiatric disorders were caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is rated at 50% effective from July 30, 2019. An earlier effective date for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his psychiatric disability and TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, additional treatment records, and proper notice.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and anxiety disorder have been granted a 60% rating, effective March 27, 2015. The appeal is also granted for TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated as compensable. The Board granted a 100% rating for his acquired psychiatric disability from July 7, 2012, but dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date due to mootness.