Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and right and left foot disorders, back disorder, heart disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a current disability for VA purposes for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds the examination adequate as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, finding that it is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder NOS, including chronic intermittent cough and muscle aches, is rated at 50 percent from September 13, 2016. The rating for the condition prior to that date remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (previously diagnosed as Bipolar Disorder) was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective from November 16, 2014. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also granted effective from February 21, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent from February 23, 2020. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as 30 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he is already receiving a 100% disability rating and SMC, so the TDIU would not provide any additional benefits.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorders have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to October 28, 2015 was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD from October 28, 2015 was also denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he withdrew his request.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's post-concussive syndrome with dizziness (TBI) due to the presence of only mild impairment in one facet of cognitive impairment, resulting in a 40% disability evaluation.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C, finding that it is proximately due to his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for hypertension has been granted. The claims for service connection of asthma and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder and PTSD. An initial 20 percent rating is granted for cervical strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling VA examinations and notification. The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining casualty reports from an appropriate service department.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric condition and that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for any form of mood disorder.