Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective August 31, 2018. The painful scar to the scalp remains at a 10 percent rating. Effective August 31, 2018, TDIU was granted based on one service-connected disability and more than 60 percent combined in separate service-connected disabilities. SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is also granted for the period beginning August 31, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and anxiety. The Veteran will need a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with somatic symptom disorder is proximately due to her service-connected disabilities, and thus service connection for this condition has been granted.

An increased 50 percent rating for a thoracic/lumbar spine disability is granted.,Prior to June 21, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment. Since June 21, 2019, his acquired psychiatric disability has made it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.,Since June 21, 2019, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

Your claims for service connection have already been granted. The Board is dismissing your appeals as moot because the benefits you sought are now in place.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is characterized by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, impaired impulse control, and difficulties in establishing effective social relationships. The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent prior to September 22, 2022 for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for denying service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's reports of in-service stressors and current symptoms are considered, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of a claimed stressor and inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is dismissed as the grant of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder incorporates the Veteran's insomnia.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lateral epicondylitis/ulnar entrapment of right elbow and tendonitis of the right shoulder are denied due to lack of additional functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he was not rendered unemployable due to only one service-connected disability, but rather multiple disabilities including his neck and back pain.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military sexual trauma (MST) and service connection for this condition is granted. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his military service. The case will be further developed for a new opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board found that the evidence, including his statements and VA examination results, raised a reasonable possibility of establishing a current disability. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder).

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability with TBI is granted a 100 percent evaluation, and the migraine headaches associated with this condition are granted a 50 percent evaluation. The separate compensable evaluation for the service-connected TBI is denied.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his service-connected psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disability.

This decision dismisses the Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae. The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches are granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss, depressive disorder with anxiety, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and scar on the head remain remanded for further development.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Headaches are also granted as related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety disorder are granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective April 3, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms most closely approximated those required for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder was granted at 70 percent from March 31, 2009 to November 16, 2009. The case is remanded for further development regarding SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted from November 30, 2023. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerves are rated at 20 percent since November 16, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disability made him unemployable from February 3, 2018, and the Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective that date.