Anxiety Board decisions

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. An effective date prior to November 5, 2009 for service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent prior to April 9, 2018. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of this level.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his anxiety disorder and depression has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for anxiety and depressive disorders is granted. The claim for lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance due to wear and tear of his clothing from using a back brace was denied because the evidence did not show consistent use of the brace, which is required for the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess his acquired psychiatric disorder and groin muscle injury.

The Veteran's skin growths claim was denied. The cervical spine disability and anxiety disorder, NOS with PTSD symptoms ratings were restored to their previous levels. The right ankle disability rating remains at 10%. Effective dates for the increased ratings are not granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened due to new and material evidence. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's depressive and anxiety disorders are found to be caused by his service-connected knee disabilities, leading to the grant of secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the nature and etiology of any PTSD, as well as other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs a psychiatric examination to determine these details.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 25, 2015 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder is being remanded. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric conditions is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues include reopening service connection for psychiatric disorders other than adjustment disorder with anxiety, determining current severity of adjustment disorder with anxiety, and evaluating entitlement to TDIU based on adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran received emergency medical treatment for a panic attack at Southwest General Hospital on January 1, 2015. The Board found that the treatment was necessary due to the emergent nature of his symptoms and that an attempt to use VA facilities beforehand would not have been considered reasonable by a prudent layperson. Therefore, payment or reimbursement for the medical expenses incurred is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from SSA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The Veteran's reported stressors are not considered combat-related.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder is granted. The Veteran's right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety reaction with hysterical component. The claim for service connection for asbestosis is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis or treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for a new examination using DSM-5 criteria. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is recognized as potentially relevant, but no specific exposure basis (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange) is mentioned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), IBS, and TDIU are all granted. The rating for IBS is increased to 30 percent.