Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and unverified in-service stressor. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's claim for chronic residuals of a head injury is denied as there is no credible evidence showing the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and headaches. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, but his personality disorder and other psychiatric disorders are denied. The ratings for his peripheral neuropathy remain at 20 percent, and the appeal for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), fibromyalgia (neck, back, buttocks pain), and herpes. The Veteran is entitled to a VA addendum opinion on each issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records, particularly from VA Medical Center (VAMC) and private doctors. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and the need for a new VA examination to determine if his psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's psychiatric and hand disabilities have been rated, but the appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that the AOJ must take additional steps to ensure it substantially complies with the prior remand directives by obtaining outstanding relevant records and ensuring the medical professional addresses pertinent evidence favorable to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent effective March 4, 2020. The rating was granted as the symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is granted secondary to their service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent.,The Veteran's complex vocal tic disorder has been granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, anxiety, and panic disorder without agoraphobia, is rated at a 70 percent rating prior to May 2, 2019. The claim for a higher rating of more than 70 percent has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for a VA examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and, if so, its etiology. The increased rating claim for his left inguinal hernia and hydrocelectomy residuals remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral foot condition, and back condition due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board found that the Veteran’s mental health disorders did not affect his decision-making process regarding treatment for bladder cancer, and thus did not contribute to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional relevant records, including those from military service, and seek another opinion from a medical professional.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, is granted. The new private medical evidence supports the claim.