Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for anxiety with depressive disorder (previously claimed as PTSD) is granted, effective July 1, 2009. The TDIU and DEA benefits are also granted from the same date.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's skin disability (tinea versicolor) is denied because the current condition does not have its onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety disorder with depressed mood was dismissed as the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, finding that further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to procedural errors in previous decisions. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, Hepatitis C, and a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II.

PTSD was granted at a rating of 70 percent from August 24, 2012 to September 6, 2016 and at a rating of 100 percent after September 6, 2016.,GERD was denied as not incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is reopened, and his right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his left shoulder disability. The case is remanded due to the need to obtain updated treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have aggravated his unspecified anxiety disorder, and his now service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder has aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a psychosis for treatment purposes only, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a mental health disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and depression, are granted as service connected. Bilateral hearing loss is also granted as aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis, while her anxiety condition with insomnia was granted as service connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar compression fracture, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder) are all granted service connection. Secondary service connection is also granted for COPD, grand mal seizure disorder, osteoporosis, vertigo, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has restored a 30 percent rating for his adjustment disorder with anxiety. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination of his left foot.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder and depressive disorder with unspecified schizophrenia is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher, throughout the claim period.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a mental health condition, including anxiety disorder, due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD (claimed as PTSD with depression and anxiety) is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression and insomnia disorders, as well as secondary service connection for depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of a TBI, an increased evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, an increased rating for his Achilles tendon rupture, a compensable evaluation for his scar, and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for some of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety and sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for hypertension and multiple sclerosis, both claimed as due to in-service herbicide exposure, are remanded for further development.