Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted a 50% rating effective April 9, 2015. The Veteran's diabetic polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities received initial ratings of 10%, 20%, and 20% prior to April 22, 2013, and thereafter. TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for anxiety disorder and panic disorder without agoraphobia, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disability, and a kidney disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or other mental health conditions related to military service, and there was no chronicity of symptoms since service. For the right knee disability, the Veteran's arthritis was not shown within one year of separation from service, and continuity of symptomatology could not be established. The kidney disorder claim is pending as it has not been addressed in detail.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is attributable to service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression and anxiety, due to military sexual trauma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a sleep disorder, and migraine headaches due to inadequate examination reports and missing in-service noise exposure records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service records show diagnoses of several acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. However, the VA examinations did not provide a clear diagnosis and opinion regarding these conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain new, adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his degenerative disc disease, anxiety disorder, hiatal hernia, migraine headaches, radiculopathy (left and right lower extremities), and eczema, render him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's psychiatric disability since March 7, 1995. The Veteran needs a new examination and retroactive opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety have worsened, requiring a higher disability rating. The Board has ordered an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for headaches. The psychiatric disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for anxiety disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected anxiety disorder. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain his treatment records from Dr. R.A., and he should be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of his anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified are related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder NOS, PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. The Board finds that the current disability requirement of direct service connection has been met, and the remaining question is whether such is related to an in-service event or illness.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to April 12, 2016 was denied. The appeal is REMANDED as there are issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine from April 12, 2016 is also REMANDED due to issues with service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. The VA examiner found that there is not enough evidence to link these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety and entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the failure to obtain his Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The SSA records will be requested, and if available, they will be added to the claims file.