Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and bipolar disorder. The case is being sent back to obtain a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostatitis were denied as there is no direct or presumptive link between these conditions and his military service.,Tinnitus was denied because the Veteran's current diagnosis could not be linked to in-service noise exposure, and the VA examiner found that the condition more likely than not did not have a relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the establishment of service connection for PTSD is granted. The motion seeking revision of a November 2004 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is dismissed as moot. The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD prior to August 2, 2010 and for Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) benefits is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated during his second period of active duty service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's undifferentiated somatoform disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were rated at 50% prior to October 19, 2012. From October 19, 2012 to May 12, 2015, the rating was increased to 70%. For the period from May 12, 2015, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC for loss of use of bilateral hips was denied as he is already receiving the maximum rate of compensation authorized under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) for his loss of use of lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claims of service connection for multiple joint pain, a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue, major depressive disorder/anxiety disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Board found that while there was no direct evidence linking the injury to his active duty service, the Veteran has provided credible testimony regarding an in-service incident where a generator door fell on him during a Scud missile attack.,The claims of service connection for chronic fatigue and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded as new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's current PTSD is found to be service-connected, with the Board finding that the weight of evidence supports the claim and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and a need for further development related to the in-service personal assault.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination for psychiatric disorders, and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service records show he had depression following an in-service accident, and post-service medical records indicate current diagnoses of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's bronchitis is rated at 30 percent and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bursitis and arthralgia of multiple joints, CFS, mild obstructive airflow disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder for purposes of eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 due to his withdrawal at a hearing. Service connection was granted for a lumbar spine disorder, rash of the shoulders and armpits, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression). The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's initial ratings for post-operative scars of the abdomen, residuals of cholecystectomy, hemorrhoids, and adjustment disorder with anxiety are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety and PTSD; and for hypertension. The VA examinations are required to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD, GAD, PTSD and insomnia disorder. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The issue of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability was also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, a compensable rating for postoperative tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right thumb with traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion. The Veteran's anxiety disorder was also denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, anxiety, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back and cervical disorders.