Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder had its onset during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The sinus disability is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding pre-service existence and in-service aggravation or relationship. The sleep disorder claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression are rated at a 70 percent since September 14, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran meets the criteria for this rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective September 28, 2012. The other issues are not granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence to find that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection for vascular disease was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for ED is also denied.,Service connection for GAD with depressed features has been granted, but an effective date prior to March 15, 2012, is denied.,Service connection for tonic-clonic seizures with grand mal seizures and TBI are all denied as well, with no effective dates being granted.,The Veteran's initial rating for TBI was remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders was denied. The earlier effective date claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity neurological conditions, and psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's reports from August 1991 are not considered in the current evaluations.

The Veteran's kidney disease and left knee disability are denied as service connection is not established.,A separate rating of 20 percent for left knee disability is granted, but a higher rating than 10 percent under the appropriate diagnostic codes remains denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD) is remanded due to potential nexus with in-service treatment records.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is also remanded as it may be related to service-connected PTSD.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded as the Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria.

The claim to reopen the previously denied service connection for the cause of death is granted. The case is remanded due to incomplete in-service treatment records and a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is now being returned to VA for further action.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Psychiatric Disabilities. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor and the need for a VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because their death made it impossible to adjudicate the merits of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination or opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature, cause, and relationship of his claimed disabilities to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and missing service records, which may impact the determination of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric disabilities and skin condition. The claims will be further developed to determine if there are any new or material pieces of evidence that could support a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100 percent for hypothyroidism is granted, and he is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and conflicting diagnoses. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depressive disorder, personality disorder, and anxiety is being reviewed again with a different examiner.