Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has restored service connection for generalized and unspecified anxiety disorder with persistent depressive disorder, effective September 1, 2018, as the evidence did not show clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot since he had a combined 100% schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities from July 2009 onwards, but not with one rated as totally disabling.

The Board dismissed the appeals as they are moot due to the appellant's death.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current unspecified anxiety disorder may have pre-existed service and is seeking an addendum opinion to determine if it clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his entrance into active duty, or if it was related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's effective date for the increased rating of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder is set at November 2, 2016. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are also set at this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are related to his service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of tinnitus, residuals of cervical spine fusion, and anxiety disorder NOS due to the Veteran not timely filing a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) on the form prescribed by VA.

The Veteran's TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches are all rated at the lowest possible compensable level. The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for each condition.

The Board denied service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided with a new VA examination to assess her IBS and PTSD, as well as additional records from the NPRC for mental health treatment. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private psychiatric treatment records she may have.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not file a timely VA Form 10182 (Decision Review Request: Board Appeal) on whether the RO’s April 2020 severance of service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder was improper.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the restoration of a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD was granted. His anxiety disorder with depressive symptoms were also granted, but the Veteran's PTSD claim was denied. The Veteran's ventral hernia is currently rated at 20 percent and remains unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, which was found to be incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and unaddressed psychiatric diagnoses. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, its likely etiology, and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the presence of other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, and a new examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence in full remission is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 70 percent since February 21, 2018. Prior to this date, the rating was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and sleep disturbance are granted with a 50% rating. The Veteran's cervical strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right knee tendonitis with shin splints is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's BPH is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's left shin splint is denied as not warranting a compensable rating.