Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder has been granted a 100% rating from October 18, 2012 to January 15, 2018. The decision also grants TDIU and SMC benefits.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches are related to his military service, particularly due to stressors experienced during active duty. As such, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

Effective October 4, 2012, a 50 percent rating for anxiety disorder is granted. A 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism is granted. A 10 percent rating for residuals of TBI with intermittent dizziness is granted. A 10 percent rating for pityrosporum folliculitis is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 16, 2012 due to non-compliance with previous directives. The case is now referred to the Director of Compensation Services for an extraschedular determination.

The Board has determined that there was incomplete development of the claim and requires a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and has remanded his claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, CVA residuals, and prostate disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The August 1968 rating decision for the laceration scar with residual flexion deformity of the right little finger, external otitis, and anxiety reaction is granted as CUE. The July 1973 reduction in disability rating for the right hand and forearm condition is also granted as CUE.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The remand requires additional opinions from VA examiners to address the etiology of these conditions, particularly regarding hypertension and its relation to diabetes.

The Veteran's other specified bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD are granted service connection. A higher rating of 70 percent is granted for PTSD. Service connection for COPD, asthma, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and right arm disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for breathing issues, back injury, elbow injury, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and plantar fasciitis have been denied due to the lack of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran was scheduled for a VA foot examination but failed to appear without good cause. As such, his claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis is decided based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification for the Veteran's in-service stressor and an incomplete examination, which may affect the determination of service connection for his psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain, recurrent skin disorder, and psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a missing statement of the case (SOC) and requests for VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and anxiety, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's effective date for Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is denied because he was able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 5, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to link these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The Veteran's claim will be further developed by obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician.