Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include anxiety reaction and depression is granted as secondary to service-connected neck and back disabilities. The appeals for increased ratings on the low back, cervical spine, and pain disorder are dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for anxiety and depression, which he claims had onset in service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, with depression being found more likely related to his military service.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no current disability or causal link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety and depression, requires additional development due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not service-connected, and the Board finds that his TBI residuals do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than anxiety and mood disorders, to include PTSD, polysubstance abuse, and/or bipolar disorders, to also include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability, and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin condition due to exposure to herbicides are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's gynecological disorder, including uterine fibroids and dysfunctional uterine bleeding, is found to have been incurred during active service.,New evidence has been submitted that supports reopening the claims for right and left knee disabilities. The Board will now consider these claims.

The Veteran's skin disability, characterized as lipomatosis and residuals thereof, including scars, has been granted a 30 percent rating. His claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted, with the rating assigned based on new evidence that reopened his previous claim.

The Veteran's left hip fracture was not reasonably foreseeable, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the left hip fracture is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, warrants a 100% rating effective September 12, 2013. The claim for TDIU was implicitly denied in March 2011 due to lack of formal or informal claim within one year of any increased rating claims filed after the last final decision.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating from October 3, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety has been rated at 70 percent since April 17, 2012. The Board finds that the rating of 50 percent prior to this date is warranted due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has ordered another VA examination and opinion to clarify the Veteran's diagnoses and determine if his current acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to service, specifically an in-service military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a rating of 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available. The claims for service connection for colorectal cancer and liver cancer have been remanded as additional medical opinions are needed to address their etiology. The claim for TDIU remains inapplicable due to lack of evidence regarding employment status.