Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected PTSD with depression and anxiety was denied in the June 2022 rating decision. The Board has now remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, rhinitis, prostate condition, sleep apnea, vertigo, hypertension, back condition, shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, and ankle/foot conditions. The reasons provided are that the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has determined that the June 2011 rating decision did not commit clear and unmistakable error in failing to consider service connection for anxiety disorder. The appeal is denied. However, there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l), which requires the AOJ to obtain an examination to determine if the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's GERD and PTSD with MDD and GAD are granted. The Veteran is assigned a 100% disability rating for his PTSD, effective June 1, 2018. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's PTSD, including secondary pervasive anxiety disorder with depression, is rated at 70 percent effective March 23, 2010. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and anxiety have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU prior to September 6, 2023.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 15, 2019 for the grant of a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is service connected as it is presumed to have been incurred during his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for chronic migraines, dermatitis, erectile dysfunction (ED), and generalized anxiety disorder as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence showing a present disability at the time of the appeal.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, as it was incurred during service due to exposure to loud noise.,Service connection is denied for left knee patella tendon tear (status post repair), as the current condition did not have its onset during a period of honorable service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and requires further examination and medical opinion regarding the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability in some cases and the need for further medical evaluation in others.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety is remanded due to a failure to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion as required by the McLendon criteria.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence showing an increase in the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss during the appeal period, and insufficient evidence to support a finding that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and issues related to the character of discharge from service. The claims will be reconsidered with additional information.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection is also being remanded for various conditions, including dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, a psychiatric disorder, a right hip condition, sinusitis, a respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal issues, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and other unspecified conditions.

The appeal to sever service connection for anxiety disorder due to other medical condition is dismissed as untimely.

The Board has remanded the claims for infertility and ovarian cancer due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service-connected endometriosis is being considered as a potential cause.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder has been denied. The current disability rating is based on the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, with symptoms resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.