Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as a nervous condition, depression, and anxiety is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a disability claimed as sleep and dream disturbance is reopened. The issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, right ear hearing loss, and lumbar strain myositis, central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/L5 are remanded. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorder (claimed as panic anxiety attacks), and fibromyalgia due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for GAD and persistent depressive disorder due to conflicting medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are currently diagnosed, but the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities needs further clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder with depressive features is remanded for a VA examination to determine its severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased evaluation claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Other Specified Anxiety Disorder is denied. The Board finds that the effective date should be April 6, 2016 as this was the date of receipt of his reopened claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic right hip adductor and flexor muscle myofascial strain. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to consider all of the Veteran’s mental health treatment records and provide a new opinion on whether his current PTSD is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and herpes due to unclear medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to July 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, cardiac murmur, and hypertension has been denied. The Board has found that there is no evidence to support these claims.,Regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include chronic anxiety and PTSD), the Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, NOS, is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of secondary service connection and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of unspecified anxiety disorder is denied as there is no evidence prior to July 25, 2006 that he filed a claim for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining claims of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted an initial 50 percent rating effective April 13, 2019. The Board found that the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating were met as of his date of claim for service connection in April 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and no nexus between active service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms, while significant, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were consistent with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to incomplete development, including failure to notify the Veteran of scheduled examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by his attorney and additional VA treatment records. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and active service, or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety did not meet the criteria for a higher rating of more than 50 percent prior to August 30, 2014. The Board found that his symptoms were sufficient to warrant a 50 percent disability rating but insufficient for a 70 percent rating.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, is granted.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.