Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case to provide a new VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as the current opinion is insufficient to decide the claim on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 1, 2017 for the grant of service connection for social anxiety disorder is denied. The Board has also remanded his claims for service connection for a skin condition and for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for social anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and headaches have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision.,Service connection for depression and anxiety (claimed as drug treatment) has also been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s current mental health conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is related to his presumed herbicide agent exposure, and his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is caused by his now service-connected adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive and anxiety disorder, is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since October 15, 2018. The decision grants this initial increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold weather injuries and PTSD, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since June 13, 2012. He is granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to deficiencies in the current evidence. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if any psychiatric disability is related to service, and another examination is required to assess the severity of the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The effective date remains pending as it is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for CAD is denied as there is no legal authority to assign such a date, and CUE has not been raised.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for angioedema due to allergic reaction to medication remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, anxiety, and depression have been rated at 70 percent since March 29, 2013, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine DDD and radiculopathy. His lumbar spine DDD is granted a 40% rating, which is the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and an unspecified anxiety disorder, is remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at a maximum of 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back nerve damage and PTSD with anxiety due to incomplete medical records and lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is related to his in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity coincident with his service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or sarcoidosis during his active service. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on these issues because no VA examiner has opined whether the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis and/or sarcoidosis may be related to his active service, including the in-service anthrax vaccinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing VA and private treatment records, need for new VA examinations, and a VA aid and attendance examination. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and posttraumatic headaches.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, dysthymia, anxiety disorder, and alcohol abuse, is rated at 70 percent effective January 1, 2013. The Veteran also has been granted a TDIU beginning on the same date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining additional personnel and treatment records from various sources. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed.