Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions of degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left knee DJD, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and major depressive disorder. The grants are based on these conditions being proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected skin disorder caused his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including social anxiety disorder and depression. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he has these conditions and their relationship to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's surviving sister is granted the remaining $1,882 in accrued benefits for burial expenses as she filed a timely claim and provided proof of payment.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's back disorder, gastritis, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, type II due to herbicide exposure and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depression, and an anxiety disorder), as well as increased ratings for right arm disabilities. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service Agent Orange exposure and schedule him for a VA examination to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder and TMD have been granted service connection, while the appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied. The left knee/leg disability, bilateral hearing loss, right eye nasal pinguecula and left minimal nasal pterygium, and bilateral eye Meibomian gland dysfunction/posterior blepharitis/dry eye are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, has been denied as the new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) but remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the Veteran's widow, as her appeal is no longer in a jurisdictional state.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, rated at 70 percent since February 10, 2015, is granted with an effective date of January 19, 2015. The Board found that the increase in symptoms occurred as of January 19, 2015, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's schizophrenia and generalized anxiety disorder are service-connected as they have been continuously present since her military service.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder have been rated at a 70 percent disability level from October 29, 2008 forward. This rating is granted due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as generalized anxiety disorder, is found to be related to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between his claimed conditions and service, or that they began in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced psychological trauma during service in Korea, which is considered combat-related. The VA examiners found a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, which is the maximum available. The Board also found that he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. His claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder, to include insomnia, is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was granted a 70 percent disability rating effective January 28, 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service connected disabilities was also granted from the same date.