Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorder NOS and anxiety disorder NOS, are granted as service-connected. Dermatitis is also granted as service-connected. Obstructive sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected nose disability is denied. Ratings for residuals of a fractured nose and scars on the right arm are denied.

The Board has restored the 70 percent rating for anxiety disorder and granted a 100 percent rating since June 5, 2018. The effective date of the 30 percent rating for headaches is denied. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS, is granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective March 15, 2012. A TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling from August 26, 2010 to January 25, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for chronic diarrhea and the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder prior to May 3, 2019 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran requested withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis with nasal polyps and eustachian tube dysfunction, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders (including dysthymia and adjustment disorder). Service connection was denied for deviated nasal septum.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the February 2018 rating decision that continued a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of TBI, as there was too much overlap between the TBI symptoms and those of the diagnosed psychiatric disability. The Veteran's condition is now rated as major depressive disorder with anxiety features.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and an inadequate examination regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective July 19, 2012. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety due to incomplete development of evidence regarding in-service stressors. The Veteran's representative asserts that he did not receive a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for ischemic heart disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, and depression, and a lung disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claim for increased rating for lumbar spine disability was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to non-compliance with the Board’s previous directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for larynx disorder, finding no direct or secondary relationship to active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was also denied.,There is no evidence of a direct causal relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's anxiety disorder unspecified and whether he has a separate diagnosis of PTSD. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection have not been properly adjudicated and requires further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, associated with tinnitus, is rated at a 50 percent disability rating. The decision grants this increase in rating but does not address any other issues or claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as secondary to his service-connected status post left inguinal hernia repair disability is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected status post left inguinal hernia repair is denied.