Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at 40 percent effective February 28, 2019. The Board finds that her symptoms warrant this rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder NOS, and unspecified mild neurocognitive disorder, as well as for vertigo secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder and the effective date of service connection.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and personality disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.,The appeals for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia and right hand minimal motor and mild sensory loss have also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, and hepatitis C due to inadequate medical opinions in previous addendum evaluations. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again by a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a claimed in-service helicopter accident, which is necessary to establish service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including Unspecified Anxiety Disorder and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, had its onset during service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted, but the claim for heart murmur remains denied. The Board finds it necessary to recharacterize the issue of sleep apnea as a claim for insomnia due to military service. The Veteran's claims for vertigo/dizziness and sleep disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination for PTSD and non-PTSD diagnoses, as well as treatment records from private providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to an in-service sexual assault. The VA examiner will be asked to consider the Veteran's assertion of seeking an STD test approximately two months after his reported sexual assault.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran's anxiety and depression are secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain. The issues of service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as temporary total evaluation (100 percent) paragraph chapter 29, are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to determine if the Veteran's sleep disorders are related to service, including as residuals of his TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn.,The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided with VA examinations to assess his current disabilities, including residuals of right orbital floor fracture, left elbow disability, right ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA, Vet Center, and private treatment records which need to be obtained in order to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is also required to provide updated information regarding her employment status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied. The Board also remands the claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for depression and anxiety disorders, to include as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from November 9, 2021.,Service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, left ankle arthritis, left ankle scar, and eczema was granted on May 27, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 30, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for unspecified anxiety disorder is dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The examiner is requested to consider all relevant evidence including post-service treatment records and the Veteran's lay statements.