Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome with grade 1 spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches (secondary to sleep apnea), an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and anxiety) secondary to service-connected disabilities, a higher rating for sleep apnea, and a compensable rating for postoperative ventral hernia. The Veteran's claim for reopening of the previously denied claim of service connection for major depressive disorder has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and the types of employment he can perform given his service-connected PTSD. The VA will need to obtain updated clinical records, schedule a psychiatric examination, and provide a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the necessary information.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his non-psychiatric service-connected disabilities. Other claims are also being considered.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) and residuals of Bell's palsy (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for VA examinations and because of an earlier effective date claim. The claims will be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The claim for service connection of the acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is remanded due to new evidence received since the May 2008 Board decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 28, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The effective date assigned is September 28, 2012, which is the date of the informal claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and substance use disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as it caused occupational and social impairment but not to such an extent that would warrant a 70% or 100% rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for his psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 25, 2017. From July 25, 2017, the rating remains at 30 percent due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for hearing loss, Parkinson's disease, a psychiatric disorder, a sleeping disorder, and PTSD. The issues are being addressed due to insufficient evidence or need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as it was received more than a year after discharge. The rectum sphincter control disability, GERD, and PTSD claims are granted with increased ratings. The hemorrhoids claim is denied. The right wrist and left wrist disabilities, and headaches claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with Panic Disorder and for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear diagnoses and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder rating is being remanded due to the need for a new examination after a significant period without evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's TBI with tension headaches is rated at a noncompensable level since October 22, 2014. The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, unspecified personality disorder, and PTSD, finding no valid in-service stressor event to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The VA medical opinions concluded that his anxiety and depressive disorders were unrelated to his service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder is reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal remains pending as the Board has not decided on the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected anxiety disorder and radiculopathy conditions, effectively dismissing all related claims.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent effective August 6, 2012. A TDIU rating was granted.