Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as anxiety disorder, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating beyond the currently assigned 10 percent for right knee disability, 20 percent for right ankle disability, and no higher than 30 percent for anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and found that the Veteran's combined rating is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, left hip strain, bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and hiatal hernia, are deemed to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right shoulder scars, bilateral toe scars, or resection of metatarsal heads. His hearing loss was rated appropriately under VA guidelines. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was granted as new and material evidence had been received since the last denial in 2006.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria prior to January 5, 2011. Effective from that date, he met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability application records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are etiologically related to his active service. The claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder and anxiety were incurred during his active service, including his deployment from November 2004 to February 2006. The claim is therefore granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not granted service connection due to pre-service drug use or willful misconduct. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70% and has been since July 11, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active service, but does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for a psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered a remand due to unclear reasoning in the previous decision and issues regarding aggravation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ankle disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2016 letter from Dr. T.R.F.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and a mood disorder. The Veteran's back pain is believed to have occurred due to a personal assault during service, which may have aggravated his existing condition. The VA needs to obtain relevant medical records from San Diego NMC for both claims.

The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the secondary service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is denied as there is no service-connected disability. The service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (reopened) is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the thoracic and lumbar spine has been reopened, and it is granted. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection, but the current rating of 30% is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, anxiety and depression, and PTSD have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran is granted earlier effective dates for service connection of anxiety disorder, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits from December 19, 2011. The right knee disability was also granted an effective date of February 29, 2012.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and securing updated VA treatment records. The AOJ will also obtain SSA records and determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.