Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, effective October 31, 2003. A TDIU rating and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are granted from the same effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety prior to October 14, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with decreased work efficiency or intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as for obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran also needs a statement of the case issued regarding his migraine headaches and anxiety disorder claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an anxiety disorder is granted, effective September 25, 2014. A rating of 30 percent is assigned for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for MDD was denied prior to March 11, 2019. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher than 50 percent rating.,From March 11, 2019, the Veteran's MDD was rated at 70 percent. The Board determined that this rating adequately reflected his symptoms and impairment.

The appeal for service connection for headaches has been dismissed.,The appeals seeking earlier effective dates for tinnitus and a 70% rating for bipolar I disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder have also been dismissed.,An initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as ratings greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and greater than 60 percent for CAD, have all been dismissed.

The Veteran is eligible for a TDIU on a schedular basis as of August 3, 2018, and the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder, has been reopened. The Board found new evidence that relates to the Veteran's military service and granted his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury with anxiety disorder and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability were met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, requiring a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disability and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The claim of service connection for the Veteran's cause of death is reopened and to this extent only is granted. The issue of service connection for the Veteran's cause of death is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder was granted with an effective date of December 15, 2015. The claim for a headache disability was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic generalized anxiety, depressive disorder NOS, and poly substance dependence in full remission. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during service and his current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to evidence suggesting a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and related stressors is being reviewed further.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service. The Veteran was deployed to Djibouti and had symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, concentration problems, irritability, and forgetfulness during his deployment.