Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), right knee instability, left knee instability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle instability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with left neural foramina stenosis, right knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, left knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, appendectomy scar residuals (right arm and face), spider bites residuals (right arm and face), a right knee scar, a left knee scar, and tension headaches, have necessitated the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder, was caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for Hepatitis C, major depressive disorder and anxiety, and an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, malaria, and lumbar spine disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent effective June 11, 2015. He also received a TDIU award on the same date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for MDD, the propriety of reducing the disability rating for varicose veins, and seeking an earlier effective date for sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with depressive features and anxiety due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for GERD with acid dyspepsia and generalized anxiety disorder were denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical evidence and insufficient information to determine if the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the available records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal on the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypothyroidism. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, prostatitis, athlete's feet with blisters, left elbow strain, major depressive disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety and sleeping problems), and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD and bipolar disorder was granted a 70% rating effective August 12, 2021. The TDIU claim prior to this date is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are being remanded due to inadequate analysis regarding the presumption of soundness.

The Veteran's MDD with anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 20, 2015. The RO has also granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected MDD and lumbar spine conditions.,The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent effective August 5, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU from the same date.

The Veteran's tinnitus and psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are granted service connection. Service connection for Gulf War illness manifestations of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his pending appeals, including those for increased ratings of plantar fasciitis, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and cubital tunnel syndrome. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain VA treatment records and failed to provide an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's mental health disorders are suspected to be related to service, but further evaluation is needed.

The Board has determined that the March 2020 VA examination is based on an incorrect factual basis and requires a remand to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder was denied. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1994 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD.