Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The condition was consistently manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, past homicidal ideation, and impaired impulse control.

The claim to reopen the previously denied psychiatric disability claim is granted. The Board finds that remand is necessary for further development and examination regarding both the psychiatric disability and sleep apnea claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is required to determine if any diagnosed disorders are related to in-service stressors and other reported stressors.

Service connection for myofascial pain syndrome is granted.,Service connection for anxiety disorder is granted. The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been found to have separate and distinct symptoms from his already service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his sleep disorder, PTSD, chronic left ankle strain, and unspecified anxiety disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and severity. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information about stressors related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's right eye blindness was not incurred in the line of duty and is denied.,The Veteran's right-hand scar preexisted service and is not aggravated by service, thus denial.,The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service and are denied.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not manifest during or within one year after service and is denied.,Bilateral hand osteoarthritis was not shown to be chronic during service and is denied.,Low back disability is not shown to exist currently and is denied.,Neuropathy is not shown to exist currently and is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration by the RO and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's right shoulder condition is still rated at 20 percent, but the issue remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 8, 2004 and May 3, 2017 are being remanded as the RO/AMC needs to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if an earlier effective date for TDIU is warranted, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability since at least 1973.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea, anxiety and depression, PTSD, left knee instability, right knee instability, and left knee chondromalacia patella and strain are all under review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The issues of bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and IBS are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypermetropia, astigmatism, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and PTSD) as the evidence did not show a superimposed injury or disease that caused additional disability during service.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder is granted. The initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent. Service connections are also granted for various other conditions including right hip, knee, ankle, foot disabilities, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions began during active service. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to the Veteran's current diagnosis being more accurately described as depression and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability as secondary to service-connected degenerative thoracic spine disease, history of residual fracture, transverse process of L-1 vertebra and low back strain, and for an increased rating for service-connected degenerative thoracic spine disease. The remand is due to insufficient opinions in the August 2013 VA examination report regarding whether the psychiatric disability was proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of depression and anxiety are being reviewed again.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen claims for tinnitus and anxiety disorder.