Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and development of stressor claims. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are currently under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information provided by previous VA examinations regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The Veteran needs a new examination to clarify these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and because of a change in the rating criteria for mental disorders.

The Veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder are found to be aggravated by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for hemorrhoids/hemorrhoidectomy, effective from the date of grant of service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and there is no evidence that the gastric adenocarcinoma had its onset in service. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and cognitive impairment are granted, with an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depression, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant’s representative withdrawing the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right leg condition is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD) and headaches are remanded.,Further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions are needed to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, TDIU, and did not reopen the claim for tinnitus. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently service connected but his PTSD does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service personnel records and unobtained hospital records. The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded as more information is needed, including a diagnosis of PTSD and whether it is related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran's low back and left knee disorders have been remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated as 30 percent disabled prior to May 23, 2013, and as 50 percent disabled thereafter. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, bilateral foot disabilities (including scars of the feet), and TDIU are granted effective December 23, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, but the evidence is inadequate to determine whether she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of her service-connected conditions. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician regarding the functional effects of her service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder prior to February 21, 2018 and in excess of 50 percent starting on this date has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The claims for duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pneumonic lung scarring are remanded.

Service connection is granted for PTSD and MDD due to a personal assault in service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and MDD, including Anxiety Disorder NOS, is remanded.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its remand directives and will again remand for further development, including obtaining a combined effects medical opinion to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.