Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for low back pain, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection was granted for anxiety with bereavement features prior to April 30, 2018 at a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus as secondary to a psychiatric disorder due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent effective from April 9, 2014.,The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent effective from July 20, 2020.

The Board found that the appellant did not have verifiable military service for VA purposes, and therefore denied all claims of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder with anxiety (PTSD), was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not warrant a higher rating than 50 percent. His claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is already service-connected, so no new rating is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed respiratory condition (COPD), psychiatric condition, and heart disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or clear and unmistakable aggravation by service. The COPD is attributed to the Veteran's long history of smoking. The psychiatric and heart conditions are not linked to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The case will be reviewed to determine if a diagnosis of PTSD was made in accordance with DSM-IV criteria and whether it is at least as likely as not that the conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and anxiety as secondary to tinnitus. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new VA treatment records not previously considered. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's PTSD, GAD and MDD were restored to a 70% rating effective September 1, 2016.,Service connection for Peyronie’s disease with residual ejaculatory dysfunction was denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, effective from October 1, 2007.,His increased rating claim for DDD with arthritic changes prior to December 8, 2016, and his claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter have been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to include anxiety and depression, claimed as a residual of gunshot wound to the left side of the chest. The claim for an initial compensable rating for retained shell fragment, residual of gunshot wound to the left side of the chest is also remanded.

The Veteran's major depression and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 19, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board found no evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and low back condition have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, NOS is rated at 70 percent effective September 27, 2019. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, and for a secondary service connection opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, TBI, and PTSD, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies such as near continuous panic affecting the ability to function independently. The VA granted a 70 percent rating for this condition from June 28, 2013.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and right leg disability (formerly claimed as right knee disability). The appeals are granted.