Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychological disorder, including anxiety and depression as secondary to non-Hodgkins lymphoma due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, effective November 18, 2016. The Board denied increased ratings for the period prior to this date and after it. The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for chemical poisoning, anxiety and PTSD, heart attack and a heart stent, hypertension, prostate cancer, low back injury with posttraumatic degenerative changes, left lower extremity radiculopathy, irritant dermatitis, gout in the right foot, and left shoulder acromioclavicular separation status post-operative. The Veteran is not service-connected for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD with depression and anxiety is denied because the earliest claim was received on March 4, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety, and PTSD, is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection due to a grant of the claim by the RO prior to final adjudication. The increased rating claims for bilateral pes planus and lumbar spine disability have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for hypertension prior to December 31, 2015 and service connection for hepatitis B has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board acknowledges the Veteran’s in-service noise exposure but notes that his hearing was within normal limits while in service and inconsistent reports of tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and TBI were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings, as the symptoms of anxiety and depression did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating, but only a 50% rating was assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder. The case will be returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, blurred vision, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete communication with the appellant.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and psychophysiological insomnia, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks from May 14, 2015 to June 17, 2018. The Veteran was granted a 30% disability rating for this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of a rating for his service-connected right eye disability, headaches, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, SMC, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating of PTSD prior to February 22, 2019 was denied. The appeal for a higher rating from February 22, 2019 and service connection for hypertension were dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, erectile dysfunction, left testicular atrophy, neurodermatitis, and GAD. The decision also granted a higher disability evaluation for GAD from September 27, 2005, and awarded special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome, hypertension, a sleep disorder (insomnia and/or sleep apnea), and an acquired psychiatric condition due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's statements regarding his in-service experiences are considered.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient information regarding his employment status prior to February 5, 2020. This will affect the determination of a higher rating for his psychiatric conditions and whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety as there was no evidence to support a link between his current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

Service connection for tinnitus is dismissed.,Service connection for sciatica as secondary to lumbosacral strain is denied.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, has been reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for trauma and stressor related disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are attributable to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was denied in March 2012, but the RO granted it on November 27, 2012. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.