Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia disorder, and substance abuse disorder. The decision also grants service connection for a headache disorder as a residual of TBI and impaired balance/dizziness as a residual of TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new psychiatric examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner must determine if any of these conditions are related to service, particularly an in-service personal assault.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with anxiety and depression), sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and erectile dysfunction. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial rating for anxiety and depression disorder was denied, as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The appeal is REMANDED to obtain an updated work and education history and conduct a TDIU evaluation.

The Board has determined that an addendum opinion is necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's major depressive disorder, as it may be related to service. The claims for PTSD and anxiety are also remanded due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the major depressive disorder claim.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's headache disorder is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for a back disorder, left thigh disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA needs to obtain updated treatment records and conduct a new examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression, is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service or any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 29, 2011 for service connection of moderate chronic lumbosacral strain and bipolar disorder are denied. The cases have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and sleep disorder, is rated at 50 percent since May 15, 2015. A TDIU is granted effective from the same date.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder are granted. The effective date is set at May 13, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including right hip, right and left eye, respiratory, high cholesterol, acquired psychological condition (including anxiety), were denied. The Board found no current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and psychiatric disability due to lack of a VA examination addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence showing that any acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed service or was aggravated by service. The Veteran will need to undergo further examination to determine if their current conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew all his claims and appeals before the VA in a June 2019 correspondence.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, left knee strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and cervical degenerative disc disease.

The appeal for service connection of anxiety, depression, narcolepsy, and obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed due to the appellant's death.