Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and for revision of a November 1991 rating decision denying service connection for asthma based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The claims are to be readjudicated, including addressing whether his acquired psychiatric condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected asthma.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that any current psychiatric conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of uterine fibroids, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is as likely as not attributable to his in-service stressors events occurring between August 1982 to June 2, 1986.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressor is corroborated and his report of nightmares meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-IV. The Veteran was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examiner's opinion. The case requires additional development and consideration.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as it has been granted and rendered moot. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) caused or aggravated his hypertension. The case must be returned for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and other specified trauma related disorder did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus the initial disability rating claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has vacated the May 28, 2020 decision due to denial of due process. The case is remanded for further action on service connection claims including PTSD and anxiety disorders.

An effective date of November 10, 2016 for a 100% rating for persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety is granted.,The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is remanded until the TDIU claim is adjudicated.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD and granted a TDIU, finding the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, anxiety disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, shoulder strain, vertigo, back issues, sciatica, and nerve damage in the upper extremities, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disability for some conditions (e.g., left ear hearing loss) or insufficient symptoms to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and chronic depression. The decision is based on credible lay assertions of the Veteran and his wife, along with a favorable VA opinion that found the Veteran's account of in-service experiences to be credible.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified has been granted a 70 percent rating since July 20, 2010. A total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) rating has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examination did not substantially comply with the remand instructions and thus, the case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted with a 50% rating throughout the entire period on appeal. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and service connection for sleep disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection.