Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral pes cavus with bilateral heel spurs, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, posterior thigh muscle (muscle group XIII), hypertension, inguinal hernia, kidney stones, and generalized anxiety disorder. The claims will be reconsidered in light of the additional evidence received since the April and May 2016 Supplemental Statements of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The evidence did not verify the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors, thus failing to meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased initial evaluation of his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities (PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety) are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disorder have been granted. The claims for ear disorder (to include hearing loss) and psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board also remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that new evidence does not warrant reopening the claim for service connection of prostate cancer. The Veteran's right index finger disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds additional development needed to determine if a compensable rating should be assigned. The issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a depressive disorder, on the basis that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's mental health disorders were noted during and after his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim is remanded for an updated examination, and the TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability from the anxiety disorder claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from the November 2016 examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in April 2016. The claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood prior to November 2, 2010, is denied. However, a rating of 70 percent, but not higher, is granted beginning November 2, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety; initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss; and assessment of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the lack of evidence showing an in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions had their onset in service or are otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as they limit his ability to perform work that requires prolonged standing or walking and fine motor skills. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise regarding whether he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his respiratory conditions, including whether they preexisted service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for emotional instability and remanded the claims of service connection for bipolar disorder and TDIU due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, has been granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran had symptoms of depression and anxiety during service and continues to have a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder.