Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from September 7, 2011. The right ring finger disability is rated at 10 percent since September 13, 2011. The right little finger disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for amputation with metacarpal resection. The left foot pes planus is rated at 10 percent from February 1, 2010 to May 17, 2016 and at 20 percent thereafter. The back disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and substance abuse disorder. The condition is presumed to have existed prior to service entrance but was aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, headaches, depression and anxiety, bilateral foot disability, lower back condition, and bilateral ankle disability due to inadequacies in the VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a generalized anxiety with recurrent moderate major depressive disorder and unspecified neurocognitive disorder (claimed exacerbation of anxiety disorder) as this condition was aggravated by service, despite it pre-existing prior to entry into active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety with a 50% rating effective October 4, 2018. The appellant is eligible to receive attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in February 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to August 30, 2021. The issues are related to the merits of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder and prostate cancer, finding no new evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, including depression, anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder (also claimed as major depressive disorder), due to the Veteran's previously granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied additional attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in a March 2021 rating decision, as the appellant is already in receipt of the full pre-withdrawal amount.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for a right ankle condition, a right knee condition, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis and links it to his in-service assault.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for higher ratings for her service-connected PTSD and related conditions due to outstanding VA records not being obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, has caused him to be unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment since December 12, 2019. His condition has resulted in occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Veteran's OCD symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. However, the evidence does not reflect total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a traumatic brain injury and an anxiety disorder has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by her authorized representative.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected left leg post-thrombotic syndrome. The Board denied both the claim for secondary service connection and the request for an increased rating.