Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 18, 2008 for the 70 percent evaluation for anxiety and depression disorder. The Veteran's mental health symptoms included near-continuous depressed mood and anxiety affecting his ability to function independently, appropriate, and effectively; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle response; impaired impulse control, irritability with angry outbursts with little to no provocation, social isolation, suicidal ideation, chronic sleep impairment, and inability establishing and maintaining effective relationships. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are granted as service connected due to in-service stressors.

The claim for service connection of IBS has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection of PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, depression, GAD, anxiety, and TMJ are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, due to deficiencies in the August 2017 VA examination, a remand is necessary to allow for a fully informed decision regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and an anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, NOS. The decision is based on evidence that suggests a link between the Veteran's medications and weight gain, which may have contributed to his development of sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, gastritis, left and right knee disabilities, sinusitis with headaches, left foot scar, and adjustment disorder with anxiety are not supported by evidence of a current disability. The issues have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of anxiety disorder with panic attacks is related to his active service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for kidney rhabdomyolysis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,For his generalized anxiety disorder, a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 8, 2017 was denied. However, since then, he has been granted a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD, GAD, and specific phobia related to flying during service are at least as likely as not caused by his in-service incidents involving planes nearly crashing. As a result, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The appeal for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder, depression (secondary), and a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches has been dismissed. The appeals seeking service connection for follicular lymphoma and lower back disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression/anxiety, a right knee condition, and initial increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, and bilateral hearing loss are dismissed. The Veteran's claims for an initial increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy and left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy are also dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100 percent rating prior to November 9, 2018. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits was also established.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, vitiligo, and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted service connection.,Service connection for a back disorder is being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence and testimony provided by the Veteran, including military personnel records and additional private psychiatric treatment records. A VA examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and provide a medical opinion that takes into account these records.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, Seizure Disorder, Right Knee Condition, Left Knee Condition, and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Sleep Disturbances, and Anxiety). The decision also denied service connection for Psoriasis.,There was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The rating for Social Anxiety Disorder with Persistent Depressive Disorder and PTSD prior to April 2, 2018 was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. From April 2, 2018, the rating remained at 70 percent due to continued occupational and social impairment. The claim for Seborrheic Dermatitis was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for neck, left ankle, and low back conditions have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for migraines has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.