Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for high cholesterol and an effective date prior to March 8, 2013, for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and sinus tachycardia have been dismissed due to her withdrawal from appeal. The remaining issues of service connection, rating, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected GAD is rated at 50 percent prior to June 13, 2017 and 70 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's eye disability manifested by color deficiency is denied as it is a congenital defect.,An initial 50 percent disability rating for service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attack and unspecified depressive disorder, prior to May 21, 2019, has been granted. However, from May 21, 2019, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is manifested by no worse than flexion limited to 150 degrees and right shoulder disability by no worse than flexion limited to 145 degrees. Neither meets the criteria for a higher rating.,Left hip trochanteric bursitis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating, while right hip trochanteric bursitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and right knee have each been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating. No higher ratings are warranted.,Bilateral feet plantar fasciitis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating prior to November 25, 2019, but no higher rating is warranted from that date onwards.,Irritable bowel syndrome has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiovascular collapse, bilateral pneumonia, and severe COPD. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband’s death, alleging exposure to asbestos while serving aboard the USS Kawishiwi, treatment for rheumatic fever in service, and development of a psychiatric disorder that contributed to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a circulatory disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after his military service. The claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression with anxiety, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis contributed to his death, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a psychiatric disability, characterized as general anxiety disorder, is denied. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to the symptoms of the condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions. The Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his exposure to herbicide agents, but a VA examiner will need to determine if it is aggravated by his prostate cancer or psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for PTSD, anxiety and depression, and TBI due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records and VA treatment records need to be obtained to determine if he sustained an in-service head injury that could lead to a current TBI.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical low back pain and post-operative left anterior cruciate ligament repair are remanded.

The Veteran's fatty liver disease is granted a 10% rating from October 22, 2014. The anxiety disorder is granted a 50% rating from October 22, 2014 to July 5, 2017 and a 70% rating from July 5, 2017 to April 1, 2019. The Veteran's atrial fibrillation and carpal tunnel syndromes are granted initial ratings of 10%.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 20, 2013 for the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected anxiety disorder and syncope. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as early as when he filed his initial claims in February 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claim of a 70 percent rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted, effective July 3, 2019. The claims for service connection for pineal cyst of the brain, multiple sclerosis, nystagmus, sleep apnea, and hypertension are denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, unspecified (claimed as PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss must be remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and unverified in-service stressors. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if they have any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is aggravated by his service-connected Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.