Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, herpes, migraines, depression, anxiety, and PTSD due to a failure to obtain VA examinations.

The Veteran's liver disability is not rated higher than the current 0 percent rating due to lack of specific symptoms warranting a higher rating.,The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating based on his symptoms and occupational/social impairment.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, currently rated at 40 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating due to lack of specific symptoms warranting such an increase.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as sleep apnea secondary to his psychiatric disorders. The AOJ is required to attempt to verify the Veteran's reported stressor and obtain all of his service treatment records, including those from Adak, Alaska in 1984. Additionally, a VA examination must be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder(s).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and failing to provide a VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's in-service stressor event was not verified, and thus service connection for PTSD could not be established. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and right ankle disability due to new evidence and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, was received on September 5, 2013. The Board granted this claim with an effective date of September 5, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate etiological opinions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is being reviewed for service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder. The decision finds that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his active service and has been continuous since.

The Veteran's mental health disorder, which includes anxiety and PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating of 70% or 100%. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, effective October 29, 2015. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was initially granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 19, 2023 and later increased to 50 percent beginning on that date.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was initially granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 19, 2023 and later increased to 50 percent beginning on that date.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection are dismissed. The Board remanded several issues including the rating of AML, hemochromatosis, and left buttocks scar.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, primarily anxiety disorder and PTSD, is rated at 50 percent prior to January 9, 2014, but the Board denied a higher rating in excess of 50 percent from that date.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to January 24, 2020, and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 12, 2017, and at 30 percent from October 12, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating beyond these levels.,The Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes and spondylosis is rated at 40 percent prior to July 27, 2023. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current criteria.,The Veteran's left hip limitation of extension is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current criteria.,The Veteran's left hip limitation of abduction, adduction, and rotation is rated at 0 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current criteria.,The Veteran's status post left total hip arthroplasty is rated at 0 percent prior to July 3, 2018, and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current criteria.,The Veteran's left total hip arthroplasty is rated at 70 percent from September 1, 2019 to July 27, 2023. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left thumb condition and anxiety disorder, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to Extra-Schedular Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, neuropathy, psoriatic arthritis, anxiety, right shoulder condition, and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The RO is instructed to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding possible exposure to chemicals during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating to 70 percent effective March 1, 2020 after finding that the reduction was improper due to inadequate notification of the scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety and mental disturbance attributable to hypothyroidism are rated at 30 percent, while a compensable rating for his hypothyroidism is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD and anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, effective November 1, 2018. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from April 10, 2018.