Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety during the appeal period, but the VA examinations did not adequately address whether these conditions are related to service. The claim is remanded for a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was denied. The reduction of the left knee disability rating from 20% to 10% was not proper, and restoration of the 20% rating is granted. A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for right knee surgical scars is denied. An increased disability rating higher than 30% for residuals of right knee torn meniscus with chondromalacia is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 70% for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 10% for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 10% for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The effective date earlier than July 1, 2014 for the award of a 30 percent rating for the right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was denied as the earliest effective date permitted under VA regulations is August 16, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including cyclothymic disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, anxiety, polysubstance abuse, and schizoaffective disorder is granted. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety and panic disorders was granted a 70% rating from January 12, 2015 to February 20, 2017. A 100% rating was granted since February 21, 2017. The Veteran also received a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) effective January 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a trauma and stressor related disorder, and associated depression is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to service-connected mental disabilities is granted.,Service connection for hemorrhoids secondary to service-connected GERD is granted.,Heart disability and polyps are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and insomnia. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to tinnitus, major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, and other physical disabilities. The Board has found that the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus is already assigned, and no extraschedular consideration is warranted.,For his major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, the Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating, but not higher, as it meets the criteria of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute mixed drug intoxication, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary to further develop both theories of entitlement regarding prescribed medications for service-connected disabilities and VA negligence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, and erectile dysfunction were not found to have begun during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) was also not found to have begun during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus and anxiety associated with sleep problems, finding no new and material evidence that would support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, TDIU is being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's death was due to cardiorespiratory failure caused by CAD and COPD. His service-connected anxiety disorder aggravated his COPD, contributing to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, thus denying special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a nervous condition was reopened due to new and material evidence. The appeal is granted in part, as the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's alleged stressor events in service and the relationship between his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, and his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were reopened. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, while service connection for both tinnitus and sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that was incurred in or caused by his active service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.