Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities (polyneuropathy) is remanded due to a lack of updated private treatment records from his lifetime providers.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, to include GERD, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression and anxiety, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not shown to be incurred in service and there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot because SMC based on aid and attendance is a greater benefit.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU due to his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and updating the evaluation of his disability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent from May 18, 2011 to June 26, 2014. Her patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder NOS and generalized anxiety disorder, effective from September 10, 2018. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran should be granted an increased rating or service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service and, if so, whether it is secondary to his back disability. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depressive disorder, schizophrenia, manic depression, and organic brain syndrome, has been reopened. The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and anxiety) have not been established.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty in the diagnosis of the Veteran's mental disorders and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of certain VA treatment records and an incomplete etiology opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, unspecified anxiety, and depression is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychological disorder, including insomnia and unspecified anxiety disorder. The VA examiner is requested to clarify the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression and adjustment disorder. The VA examiner did not provide a clear diagnosis or nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, OSA, generalized anxiety disorder, and TBI residuals are all granted with the appropriate ratings. The effective date for the higher rating of OSA is set at August 9, 2012.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 1, 2005 to November 30, 2011. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 1, 2005.,The case is again before the Board for appellate consideration after being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for adjudication.

The Veteran's representative contends that her PTSD has worsened since the March 2017 VA examination. The Board finds that remand is necessary to fully assist the Veteran in developing her claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and the Veteran's inconsistent statements regarding his experiences. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the current psychiatric conditions began during active service or were related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected GAD under both DSM-5 and DSM-IV criteria. The effective date issue is also pending due to its inextricability with the rating issue.