Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, is reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between any current psychiatric disorders and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disability is secondary to his service-connected enucleated left eye and/or meralgia paresthetica of the right hip. The examiner must provide an opinion on both causation (proximately due) and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance for knee brace and topical medication were denied. However, the Board granted a clothing allowance for his back brace due to credible testimony indicating it caused damage to his clothes.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety results in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder and a depressive disorder, both related to the Veteran's in-service stressor of witnessing a tank accident. The issues of entitlement to service connection for substance-related disorders, residuals of attempted suicides, hepatitis C, liver disorder, fatigue, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety disorder. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, scar disability, anxiety, and heart condition due to lack of a VA examination. The issues are related to service connection.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder. The Court granted a joint motion for remand, vacating the decision and remanding it to comply with instructions. As new VA treatment records were submitted after November 2017, these need to be considered before issuing a new Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for generalized anxiety disorder and left ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.,Service connection for a neck condition, claimed as cervical injury, and peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity have both been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, has been reopened and granted. His right knee disability is also granted with an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for residuals of cerebral concussion with headaches and TDIU were denied. The highest level of cognitive impairment assessed was '1', which corresponds to a 10% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically whether they are related to service-connected tinnitus. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records, provide VCAA notice on establishing an in-service stressor based on personal assault, schedule a new VA examination, and consider aggravation claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, which includes frequent nightmares, panic attacks, impaired memory, and irritability. The Board finds that these symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating but not higher.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% disability rating, effective from February 23, 2012. A higher rating of over 70% for PTSD is denied since June 23, 2013. The Veteran is also granted TDIU status since January 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including nervous condition (depressive reaction), bipolar disorder, PTSD, general anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's hypertension, depression, and anxiety claims will be reviewed again after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, is granted as it is etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache disability and granted it. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) is remanded.