Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than his anxiety disorder, finding that his symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service and the claim for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's major depression with anxiety and history of stuttering has resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety and depression. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder are both rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's major depression with generalized anxiety disorder prior to December 20, 2019 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found the disability picture more nearly approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right cervicothoracic pain and tinnitus as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to new evidence being added to the record.

An effective date of October 13, 2017, but no earlier, is granted for the award of a 50 percent rating for PTSD to include anxiety disorder.,From May 9, 2018, a rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD to include anxiety disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards.,The Veteran's claim for anxiety disorder was reopened and granted, with the additional evidence showing current diagnosis of anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depressive disorder, and PTSD, is granted as service connected due to the disability being aggravated beyond its natural course during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's mental health condition and for the RO to decide the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from September 2014. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating from March 4, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and mood disorder NOS. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as adjustment reaction with anxiety and depressive features, is granted. The effective date is set at May 15, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and a need for an adequate VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of PTSD related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for other acquired psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding pre-existence and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric, hearing loss, tinnitus, shoulder, foot, knee, heel/ankle disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy.