Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and antisocial personality disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted on this basis.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of service connection for heart disorder, coronary artery disease, and psychiatric disorder (including generalized anxiety disorder) is dismissed. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety were rated at 30% prior to October 10, 2013. The Board found the evidence supported a higher rating of 70%, but not higher, for this period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left wrist and hand injury, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, dizziness, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irregular heartbeat condition, skin condition, memory loss and concentration issues, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and post-traumatic stress disorder are all granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for his Gulf War-related conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder renders him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including panic disorder and anxiety) as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are remanded due to inconsistencies in VA treatment records and need for a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and mood disorder due to lack of contemporaneous documentation in his service records. The Veteran provided a private psychological evaluation, but VA treatment records are missing. The RO is instructed to obtain the Veteran’s personnel file from NPRC and any current psychiatric treatment records. A VA examination should be scheduled to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding a VA examination scheduled in December 2017. The Veteran's failure to report for this examination is being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety), tinnitus, but denied service connection for residuals of a TBI, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, a back disorder, residuals of burns on the neck, and migraines.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to service. The case will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and alcohol use disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including military personnel records and STRs, and schedule a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and etiology of any such disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and Anxiety with Social Phobia was denied. The claim for TDIU prior to February 26, 2010 was also denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, Anxiety Disorder with Depression, and Bilateral Lower Extremity Radiculopathy were granted. The claim for Right Hip Avascular Necrosis, Status Post Total Hip Replacement was dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal. The Adjustment Disorder with Depressed and Anxious Mood claim was also granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and/or anxiety) due to lack of VA examination records. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again after obtaining all relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent since December 16, 2013. The rating was denied as the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also received a TDIU from June 3, 2014 to August 2, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with adjustment disorder was initially rated at 100% from January 23, 2012 to March 31, 2012 and again from March 23, 2015 to May 31, 2015. From May 29, 2018 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70% rating.