Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, initially claimed as PTSD, is being remanded. The Board will consider any applicable new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension, secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diffuse atherosclerotic disease, secondary to his service-connected hypertension, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's CAD, secondary to his service-connected hypertension, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the psychiatric conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent effective from August 19, 2011. The appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder also claimed as PTSD has been rated at 70 percent effective from August 7, 2008. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending and the TDIU issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action regarding whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the April 2014 rating decision and August 2015 SOC, as well as whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to his acquired psychiatric disability, as well as his claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The reasons are that VA failed to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and the December 2020 VA examiner improperly relied on lack of service treatment records in providing a negative nexus opinion.

The Veteran's left eye disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected cluster headaches.,The Veteran has been in receipt of a 100% rating for an unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder and insomnia disorder since June 27, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. The VA needs to obtain SSA records, federal employment records, updated treatment records, and conduct a new psychiatric examination.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and readjudicating the issue of separate disability ratings for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, caused deficiencies in most areas of his life since May 7, 2012. The Board granted an effective date of May 7, 2012 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's initial period of service is not a bar to VA benefits. However, the character of his discharge for the second period of service from October 29, 2012, through October 21, 2014, remains under review due to potential insanity at the time of misconduct.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an ear disorder (Meniere's syndrome), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and bulimia nervosa) have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,There are no medical records showing the Veteran developed any of these conditions during his active service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim will be further developed and a new opinion is needed from an examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for lymphadenopathy and gynecomastia have been dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for anxiety disorder, memory loss, right shoulder disability, and chronic fatigue are remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective November 25, 2008. The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with degenerative disk disease is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for this issue. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, IBS, Hemorrhoids, Right Thumb Scar, Right Ear Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 15, 2020. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, GAD, and alcohol use disorder in remission are granted service connection. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.