Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the July 2016 rating decision. The Board found that her symptoms more nearly approximated a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is granted, and the claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has not reopened the claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his adjustment disorder was dismissed because he withdrew the appeal in writing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case, and the Veteran did not waive initial RO consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include depression and anxiety, left knee conditions, lumbar spine with IVDS, right knee condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, removal of gallbladder, residual scar from cholecystectomy, and a surgical scar on the left knee. His combined disability rating is 70 percent.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to ensure due process and a complete record for the Veteran's claims of service connection for contact dermatitis and neuropsychiatric condition, including anxiety, as secondary to contact dermatitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder was granted with an effective date of August 10, 2012. The decision is based on the symptoms he reported in his initial claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding whether a preexisting psychiatric disorder existed prior to service and if any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The VA examiner was asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The appeal is remanded due to a violation of VA regulations regarding the conduct of a hearing. The Veteran was not properly notified and did not have the opportunity to attend the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder and depression, lumbar strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity sciatica, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and anxiety disorder may require regular aid and attendance or be housebound, but the evidence is insufficient to determine this at this time. The Board has ordered a VA examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities have also been reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine if he has PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD with MDD, anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder, was not shown to be productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment from February 20, 2009 to September 19, 2012. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms reflected no more than moderately severe difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's TBI is related to service or secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been reopened. The claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sciatica, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use, and TDIU are also remanded due to the need for additional development.