Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeal for entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction.,Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks are currently rated at 70 percent. The Board denied the claim for an increased rating to a higher level of disability. Additionally, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of VA examination before death, requiring further medical opinions.

The Veteran's GAD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher initial evaluation. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroenteritis has been granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, dermatophytosis with tinea pedis, painful scar of the left forehead and eye, and lumbar DJD have all been denied.

The Veteran's neurobehavioral effects, including carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, autonomic neuropathy, anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, may be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. The Board finds a need for further examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, was initially rated at 30 percent prior to February 27, 2021 and increased to 50 percent beginning that date. The Board has now granted a 70 percent rating effective from February 27, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not show a direct relationship between these conditions and his active-duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current conditions are not related to his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxiety, resulting in the dismissal of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and the case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's claims of bilateral lungs disorder and a psychiatric disorder (anxiety).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and left ear hearing loss due to potential issues with the examination opinions provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, was reopened due to new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of depression and anxiety, which were present during his active duty service and exacerbated by military stress. Therefore, the Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been granted. The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, nerve damage of the tongue, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, and agoraphobia with panic attacks), and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD (claimed as anxiety and depression), is rated at 50 percent since September 29, 2017.