Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder, NOS, finding that new evidence received since the June 2006 rating decision is both new and material. The Board then determined that service connection was warranted based on a personal assault during military service.

The Veteran's HIV related illness and chronic adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety are granted service connection. The low back disability and skin cancer claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol abuse. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and PTSD, due to military sexual trauma; service connection for alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD; entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for service-connected disabilities; and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Alzheimer’s dementia and the cause of the Veteran's death. The Veteran's Alzheimer’s dementia is considered to be a direct result of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, which permanently aggravated his Alzheimer’s disease. The Veteran's death was caused by a fall resulting from his Alzheimer’s dementia.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS has been reopened, and the Board is granting this aspect of his appeal. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders (including as secondary to tinnitus), and sleep disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, MDD, Anxiety, Unspecified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder), and alcoholism have been reopened. The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support these claims and grants them.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to adjudicate the special monthly compensation claim and has therefore remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder rendered him unable to participate in substantially gainful employment prior to May 25, 2016.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a current disability. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as there are insufficient findings on the relationship between the Veteran's symptoms and his military service.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, now characterized as panic disorder, resulted in total occupational and social impairment from December 21, 2010 to December 3, 2014. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent disabling, effective July 13, 2018. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for anxiety disorder is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for her general anxiety disorder with PTSD is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's kidney stones are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, her migraines at a 30 percent disability rating, and her adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is granted a 50 percent disability rating from March 8, 2012 forward.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the current rating adequately reflects his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is granted as service connected due to the link between his in-service trauma and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 3, 2014 are denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as he has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for traumatic brain injury was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims of PTSD, OCD, and anxiety disorder as well as an increased rating for generalized tinea infection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined.