Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for anxiety disorder was denied prior to June 9, 2015. From June 9, 2015 to July 27, 2016, the Veteran received a temporary increase in his disability rating to 50 percent. After this period, the claim for an increased rating remained denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, rated at 50% prior to March 1, 2012, and now granted a 70% rating effective June 30, 2020, is found to meet the criteria for such a rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors during service are also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, affective disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia, is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection was withdrawn. Service connection is granted for left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis of the left index finger, and recurrent prostatitis.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatic steatosis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water contributed substantially and materially to his diagnosis.,Service connection was denied for polycystic kidney disease due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service and granted. The Veteran does not have a current PTSD diagnosis, so the claim for PTSD is denied. Anxiety and depression secondary to dental condition are also denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by alcoholism, which is a product of his service-connected non-specific anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are related to his military service. The decision is based on new medical evidence provided by a private physician.

The Veteran's Generalized Anxiety Disorder was granted a 30% disability rating prior to October 28, 2019. A higher rating is denied for the period following that date. The Veteran's Left Foot Pes Cavus remains at a 20% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether the Veteran should be granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 24, 2017, due to his service-connected PTSD and other mental health conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, mixed personality disorder, and persistent mood disorder due to a lack of verified in-service stressor and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD, has been granted. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of such conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, including his conceded stressor.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, but granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety.,Secondary service connection was granted for the Veteran's left knee disability as it is related to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to TBI, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service or TBI.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety, is denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown by VA standards.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiology opinions for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned after further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with sleep impairment (now claimed as depression and previously claimed as PTSD) aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, but both cases are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.