Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's lumps on head are not related to service.,There is no evidence of a separate clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorder during the appeal period.,Evidence received since June 2010 rating decision that denied service connection for neuropathy of the left upper extremity is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, there is conflicting evidence on this issue.,Right hand tremors are not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Left hand tremors are not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Effective dates for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied, but a higher initial rating of 20% is granted for both conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lower back disability are service-connected. However, additional evidence is needed to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder (likely including PTSD, anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder) and sciatic nerve disability are also service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, and a neck disability due to incomplete service treatment records and unverified stressors. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability remains at 30 percent. The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression are rated at 70 percent effective December 12, 2019. A TDIU claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all non-VA medical providers seen for mental health disorders and sleep apnea. A new VA examination must be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, including whether it had its onset during active service or is related to in-service stressors, and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for his lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The right shoulder and left great toe disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for periodontal gum disease and hepatitis A have been denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for his claimed psychiatric, heart, sleep apnea, neck, upper extremity radiculopathy, head injury residuals, skin disorder, ankle, or knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities including depression, gender dysphoria, anxiety disorder and panic disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA mental health examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and examination, including consideration of the Veteran's MST claim and potential service connection for his diagnosed mental disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with another issue that has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a skin disorder and depressive disorder with anxiety due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The Veteran's skin condition may be related to in-service exposure, but further examination is needed. For the depressive disorder claim, a new examination is required to determine if it is proximately due to or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as clarification of which hospital the Veteran was treated at after his attack in December 1972.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any other psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has vacated its previous decisions and remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The adjustment disorder claim was not granted, the right knee replacement rating remained at 30%, the back condition, migraines, and left hip condition claims were also denied, and a TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, rated at 50 percent. The appellant is entitled to additional attorney fees of $2,471.08 based on the total award of past due benefits granted in the January 2019 rating decision.