Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and generalized anxiety disorder is remanded due to unverified stressors and need for further examination.,Service connection for a right thigh disability is remanded as there are no current medical records linking the condition to service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded due to pre-existing conditions that may have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's MDD with GAD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from October 20, 2015 to November 8, 2018. From November 8, 2018, the disability manifested as more severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities and his service. The case will be returned for further examination and a new opinion.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted a 50 percent disability evaluation, effective April 22, 2016. The increased evaluations for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction is rated at 50 percent since September 23, 2005 and remains at that level. The appeal for a higher rating from October 14, 2008 to the present has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder has been reopened and granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, high cholesterol, tinnitus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder), and sleep disorder are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence, if needed, and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine if they have an acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea, and increased ratings for his neck and back disabilities. The issues include determining whether there is a link between the Veteran's military service and any diagnosed conditions, as well as assessing the severity of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since June 19, 2006. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, and for a total disability rating due to unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The decision found that the veteran's anxiety disorder existed prior to his entrance into military service and was not aggravated by service, while his depression is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims include service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not entitled to a compensable rating, while his anxiety and abdominal TB claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his adjustment disorder and service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed. His claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent since June 2015. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD due to military sexual trauma, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection prior to June 16, 2014 for PTSD. The decision found that the April 2012 rating decision was final and no new and material evidence had been submitted within one year.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The VA will need to obtain additional records, including counseling records from Fort Gordon and treatment records from Shoreline Community College.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are currently rated at 50 percent from October 24, 2012 to March 27, 2014. The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for this period. For the period after March 27, 2014, the Veteran's depression and anxiety are rated as remanded by the Board. The issues regarding chronic lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and right radiculopathy are also remanded.