Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The other psychiatric conditions are not linked to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression more nearly approximated a 50 percent disability rating for the entire initial rating period on appeal. The claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as there is no evidence of VA negligence in failing to diagnose or treat gangrene.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the claim for a compensable rating for neuralgia paresthetica of the bilateral thighs has not been met. The claims for service connection are pending and will be remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and generalized anxiety disorder, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 28, 2015. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD with anxiety are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not sufficient for his condition as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of anxiety disorder, service connection for substance abuse, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection has been established due to exposure to noise during service and continuity of symptoms since then.,The Veteran's stomach disorder is granted as service connection has been reopened with evidence showing current gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The claims for bilateral elbow and left knee disabilities, as well as diabetes mellitus, type 2, hypertension, and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a new examination to assess the severity of his anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder are related to her service. The Board finds that the evidence is in a state of relative equipoise on all material elements of the claim, including the nexus requirement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, or bipolar disorder and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering all applicable theories of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed psychiatric disorder and skin cancer.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's increased rating and TDIU claims, including consideration of new VA treatment records and a determination regarding an extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial evaluations have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, SSA disability records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders have been rated at a 30 percent since March 11, 2015. The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder, to include depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety, resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to October 8, 2012. Since then, the symptoms have been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder.