Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. However, the case is remanded as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The effective date for the award of service connection for right eye central serous chorioretinopathy is set at February 3, 2017. The Veteran's initial compensable rating and higher ratings for his psychiatric disability are remanded due to lack of evidence prior to February 3, 2017. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including OCD and somatic disorder, as well as depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. These conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a sleep disorder is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of a separate and distinct sleep disorder. The Board found that his sleep problems are due to his acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD, and pain from other physical disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and spine disorder are granted service connection. However, the spine disorder issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, DJD of the bilateral knees, and bilateral foot calluses and left foot plantar wart were dismissed. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities and physical conditions make her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. However, the claim is remanded as more information is needed regarding her employment status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board has remanded to obtain additional evidence and a VA examination. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are related to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 24, 2014. The VA Board has found that a 50 percent rating is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU as of November 27, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Prior to this date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and GAD do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his symptoms are adequately compensated at the currently assigned levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for TDIU due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss was denied, and his increased rating claim for right wrist tendinitis was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder from March 29, 2011 to September 4, 2019.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressive mood was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 29, 2012. From February 29, 2012 to August 28, 2013, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and PTSD, but remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder due to lack of evidence.