Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left wrist disability, right wrist disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and night terrors), degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as an upper and lower back condition), left leg disability (claimed as restless leg syndrome), and bilateral foot disability (claimed as flatfeet).,The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate examination for service connection of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD and GAD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential errors in the initial decision and need for further development.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating from March 25, 2014. Prior to that date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted a 50 percent disability rating, effective from October 1, 2009. The TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, tinnitus, left wrist disability, and hearing loss in the left ear, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his symptoms started during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, as well as to address his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically left temporal parietal arteriovenous malformation and headaches, as well as his anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there is no current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome or another disability manifested by fatigue separate and distinct from an already service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with anxiety, low back strain with L-5 spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are denied. The claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if an increased rating is warranted. The matter of TDIU has also been remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include claustrophobia, unspecified insomnia disorder, depression, general anxiety disorder, and panic disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for MDD is granted. The claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, and vertigo are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The VA is instructed to attempt to corroborate any in-service stressors, obtain additional treatment records, and provide a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current mental health conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, which was service-connected at 100%, resulted in him being housebound. The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are currently rated at 40 percent from November 16, 2015 to January 10, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this period.