Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge from service was not a bar to VA disability compensation benefits, and his claim for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's anxiety and PTSD are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to properly address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. The VA examiner is requested to provide a new opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his current psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right hand condition, left hand condition, hypertension, heart condition, prostate condition, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder.,All remaining issues are remanded to further develop evidence.

The Board granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, asthma, and migraine headaches with specific ratings and effective dates. The appellant is entitled to additional attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded from November 13, 2018 through January 28, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with insomnia was granted an increased rating of 50 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, claimed as chronic sinusitis, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and traumatic brain injury also claimed as depression is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, major depression, and PTSD, were not incurred during service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, but the Veteran's appeal is dismissed because there are no longer any unresolved issues regarding this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction and the effective date earlier than January 4, 2016 for the award of a TDIU.

The Veteran's spouse has not been in need of regular aid and attendance due to her significant physical and mental health conditions, but she can still perform basic activities such as dressing and feeding herself. The Board found that the evidence does not establish a need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional information and records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, is now pending again with the VA.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted, with a 40% rating effective from December 23, 2010. The TDIU claim is also remanded.,A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from December 23, 2011.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD was incurred during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left elbow internal derangement status post internal fixation prior to August 7, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left elbow scar was also denied. However, the appellant's major depressive disorder with anxiety is granted a 50 percent rating, but not higher, prior to September 8, 2015, and denied a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence and because a decision on one claim could impact another. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and an adjustment disorder) and OSA, secondary to PTSD, are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his back condition and acquired psychiatric condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, schedule examinations if necessary, and provide an adequate opinion on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records from May 28, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than insomnia disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and thus no basis to grant service connection.