Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, pulmonary disability other than asthma and chronic bronchitis, bilateral otosclerosis status post (s/p) stapedectomy, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU from November 30, 2014 to February 11, 2016. The appeal for the period May 24, 2011 to November 29, 2014 is further remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder) are remanded due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service. The preponderance of evidence does not establish a link between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and respiratory disorder were denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, secondary to her service-connected Bell's palsy.,However, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Bell's Palsy remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether his anxiety disorder and PTSD caused him to become obese. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's tension headaches have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,For the period prior to August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not productive of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,From August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been productive of forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, ankylosis, incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulation, or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, and basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension based on the minimum active duty service requirement have been granted.,However, the issue of nonservice-connected pension based on countable income and net worth is remanded.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for depression with anxiety, both prior to and on or after September 24, 2014. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions, particularly PTSD and claustrophobia. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are alleged to have begun during his military service in Desert Storm.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date for his service-connected psychiatric disability and for service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease have been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU, finding that the earliest date of entitlement was December 23, 1991. The decision also noted procedural issues with the Veteran's initial claims and found no basis to grant the earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety and atrial fibrillation do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her low back condition, entitlement to TDIU, and increased ratings for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, due to residuals of an esophageal perforation is denied as there is no evidence that the March 2013 VA surgery caused additional disability beyond what was already present.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to the need for further development of his claims. This includes obtaining private treatment records from Plateau Mental Health Center, Knoxville Veteran Center for PTSD counseling, and Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System. The VA examiner will also be asked to provide a medical opinion regarding the nature and origin of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include generalized anxiety, is currently rated at 30 percent and denied an increased evaluation.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion and denied an increased evaluation.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability with recurrent dislocations is currently rated at 20 percent and denied an increased evaluation.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent and denied an increased evaluation.