Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety and panic disorder is rated at 70 percent since June 9, 2014. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety features was granted service connection as it developed in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depression Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety was rated at 30 percent prior to June 30, 2015. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating are met and granted an initial 50% disability rating.

Your claims for service connection, an increased rating, and earlier effective date are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with secondary unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for psychiatric and sleep disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the presence and etiology of these conditions during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, anxiety disorder with panic attacks, TMJ as secondary to psychiatric disability, right ankle disorder, thyroid disorder, eye disorder, high lipid count, and weight gain has been granted. The rating assigned is 70 percent for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for right shoulder dislocation, right ankle sprain, left ankle disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) are dismissed since they were withdrawn. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, GERD, lead poisoning, itchy skin, diabetes mellitus, headaches, and anxiety disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression, is being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The AOJ must obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA mental disorders examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, tinea pedis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than anxiety), finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 23, 2009 for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for a variously diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including diagnoses of mood disorder, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. The claims for TBI, PTSD, interstitial bronchiolitis and respiratory bronchiolitis, asbestosis, and increased evaluation for COPD are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, warrants a higher rating than the current 30% prior to January 28, 2015, and 50% thereafter. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed due to the unduly remote nature of the April 2015 examination.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous examination is needed to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with agoraphobia, and further development is required to determine if any employment activity constituted substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric condition and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required for both conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. Service connection is also granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The claims for TBI, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, sleep disorder, and GERD are all remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes and its complications. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.