Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder was denied by the Board, as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's prostate condition, multiple soft tissue sarcoma and lipomas, and stomach disability have been granted. However, the Veteran's hearing loss disability and acquired psychological disorder remain unresolved.,Service connection has been established for prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's muscle disability due to an unspecified undiagnosed illness is granted. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression) is also granted. However, the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for tendon repair surgery of the ring finger and scar from left inguinal hernia repair are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression disorder and anxiety disorder was granted, along with increased ratings for his foot and knee disabilities. The lumbar spine disability received a 40 percent rating prior to August 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for additional development due to missing documents within the claims file, including additional evidentiary submissions or statements by the Veteran. The matter must be remanded in order to ensure compliance with the Board’s remand instructions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim and TDIU claim. The claims are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 29, 2011. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and the entitlement to a TDIU prior to June 12, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial rating and service connection due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, myocardial bridging, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability were not incurred in service.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of current disabilities for these conditions at the time of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate compensable rating for right ankle arthritis and an initial rating for anxiety was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for TDIU prior to March 9, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a recent hospitalization record. The Veteran's claims of PTSD and depression will be reviewed again.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety) and right knee disability have been granted service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records, particularly regarding the Veteran's in-service burn incident and its impact on his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic joint pain, ear disorder (other than tinnitus), hypercholesterolemia, or skin disorder. The claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions during the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.