Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches was denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9413.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's GAD with MDD is rated at 50 percent, and her TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left great toe condition and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety and insomnia).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to additional evidence and procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions began during or were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The initial rating for GERD remains denied. TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder are rated at 30% prior to April 28, 2017, and 50% from that date. The rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 20%, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity at 20%, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity at 20%, and scar of the posteriolateral scalp at 10%. All other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression, are found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, diverticulitis, and pseudomembranous colitis with clostridium colitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran is granted an initial 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, previously characterized as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, effective from September 7, 2011. The rating remains at 50 percent throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions and further development of the record is required for both PTSD and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's kidney disorder is not related to service or his diabetes, and the Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating. The skin disorder claim is remanded for further examination and opinion. TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion in a previous decision, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed during the appeal period.

An initial rating of 50 percent for other specified anxiety disorder with panic attacks and alcohol use disorder prior to February 26, 2020 is granted.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified anxiety disorder with panic attacks and alcohol use disorder from February 26, 2020 onwards is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, an eye condition secondary to a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depression disorder with generalized anxiety disorder was denied.,Service connection for PTSD was also denied.