Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for depression remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder), and a low back disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and anxiety is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 13, 2015. The claim for TDIU prior to June 13, 2017, is denied as the Veteran was not found unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for Hepatitis C due to the Veteran's withdrawal at his August 2017 hearing. The remaining issues, including service connection and increased ratings for left knee disability, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder is now rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent has been assigned for gastric ulcers.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) on a secondary basis to diabetes, which is the Veteran's service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and his variously diagnosed psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus and claw foot with hallux valgus of the great toe and first metatarsal hammertoes is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability rating for lipoma remains pending. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded, while other issues are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and inadequate verification of stressor events in service. The Veteran needs to provide more details about his alleged stressors, and a new examination is required to determine if he has PTSD related to a verified event in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was denied in October 2008 due to lack of evidence linking ADD to his military service. The Board has now remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a chronic breathing disorder, and a mandibular fracture.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's sexual assault in service is a causal factor in his current anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, TDIU, and increased rating for residuals of a right-hand fracture due to potential inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as bilateral hand scars. The evidence now shows current diagnoses of these conditions and a credible in-service injury that could be related to these disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, a depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder, is granted. The claim remains pending as the May 17, 2017, VA Form 9 constitutes a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss, and the claims for bilateral knee conditions, heart condition (also claimed as atrioventricular block and endocarditis), anxiety, and depression are remanded due to a lack of evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding sufficient evidence to link his current diagnosis of PTSD to in-service stressors. The Veteran was awarded service connection based on new and material evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymia, depression, and anxiety disorder, has been rated at 100 percent effective March 13, 2012. The Veteran's vascular headaches have been rated at 50 percent effective September 23, 2014. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and special monthly compensation based on homebound status.