Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at a 30 percent rating, effective July 1, 2022. The symptoms include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for migraines is granted, while a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for pes planus, but not for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee pain, hypertension, GERD, or sleep apnea and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied because no effective date prior to January 16, 2024, is warranted as there was neither an intent nor factual basis for such a claim before that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, now claimed as depression and anxiety, has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective July 24, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety and panic disorders is granted. The claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including a headache disability, is remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial for service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to concurrent elections, and his request for higher-level review was pending when he filed an appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder is granted a 100% disability rating for the period from August 25, 2022 to November 17, 2022.

The Veteran's rhinitis is granted as service-connected due to in-service toxic exposure.,Service connection for anxiety, insomnia, and COPD is denied.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, due to the lack of evidence supporting a link between current mental health conditions and in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected psychiatric disorder, CFS, migraine, fibromyalgia, and IBS due to insufficient rationale in the January 2021 VA examination. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and/or insomnia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis, and right ear hearing loss have been granted. Claims for left hand injury, kidney stones, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and fatty liver disease were denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the January 2021 proposed rating reduction did not constitute an adjudicative determination from which a notice of disagreement could be filed, and the Veteran later withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected myasthenia gravis is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board also finds that he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, which are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric condition to include anxiety and depression due to insufficient information in the record.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been productive of symptoms resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as anxiety, depression, chronic sleep impairment, impaired impulse control, and recurrent thoughts of death. The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically failing to verify an in-service stressor and not affording a VA examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, is rated at 50 percent effective March 14, 2022. The heart condition, peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Major depressive disorder, moderate recurrent, with anxious distress and Social anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.