Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and a need for clarification of the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, excluding PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling from May 27, 2010 and in excess of 50 percent disabling from June 13, 2013 for service-connected depressive disorder, NOS and anxiety, NOS, as well as the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Additional evidentiary development is necessary due to lack of recent VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), as well as his service-connected foot disabilities and sleep disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence, including VA and private treatment records, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for residuals of TBI, service connection for psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and an initial compensable rating and a rating greater than 30 percent from April 12, 2016, for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. Further development is needed to address these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bronchitis and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims for left knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, headaches, erectile dysfunction, depression and anxiety, chest pains, blurred vision, and dizziness are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service. The appeal regarding residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded.

The Veteran's CAD disability is rated at 60% from December 2, 2013 to June 26, 2017. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date and denied the claim for a TDIU prior to December 2, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new VA medical evidence. The RO will review this evidence and issue a supplemental statement of case.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been rated at 30 percent since June 30, 2009. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions on the Veteran's mental health diagnoses and treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any private treatment records, and undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the appeal can be decided. The Veteran's psychiatric disability may have pre-existed service, and further examination is needed to determine its etiology. The TDIU issue also requires additional development.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date are remanded due to the need for adjudication of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in previous rating decisions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 18, 2013 for the assignment of a 70 percent disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder and a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are related to his active duty service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD, anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and a respiratory disorder (asthma) is granted. The issues of service connection for PTSD, asthma, and GERD are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a headache disorder and remanded several other issues including service connection for a sacrospinal disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and insomnia), a cervical disorder, total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder), finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. Service connection for PTSD was not established due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and Anxiety Disorder) is denied. The effective date remains September 3, 2010, as the earliest possible date for which service connection may be awarded. His current disability rating of 70% for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.