Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of malaria. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen his claims for headaches, PTSD (claimed as depression and anxiety), stomach disorder (GERD), and respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent since January 2, 2020. The rating will remain at this level until further notice.

The Veteran's left cubital tunnel syndrome is granted as service connected. The extension of the temporary total disability rating for left knee degenerative joint disease under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 until January 31, 2007, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and his service, including a self-inflicted death incident in 2002. A new examination is needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. A grant of TDIU is granted effective June 10, 2015.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain with degenerative arthritis is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, should be remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding whether his weight gain and obesity are caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis C, liver damage, B-cell lymphoma cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling, effective from the date of the decision. Special monthly compensation and SMC are granted starting July 26, 2013. The TDIU issue is moot as a result.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are not currently granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher than 70 percent rating for PTSD (also claimed as anxiety with insomnia) has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his request for a hearing and his appeal.

The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30 percent from February 11, 2019. He also received a grant for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and his service-connected primary insomnia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety. The evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral shin splints, service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, and service connection for a bilateral hip condition.

The Veteran's current anxiety disorder is proximately due to, or the result of, his adjudicated service-connected disabilities. Service connection for an anxiety disorder as secondary to his service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, anxiety disorder and PTSD-like symptoms was granted with an effective date of September 22, 2009. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability) with the same effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lower back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. The issues are being remanded due to obesity caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 25, 2020 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or TDIU.