Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to consider delayed onset psychiatric disorders and potential exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that his symptoms of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks are manifestations of his already service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as a herniated disc in the thoracolumbar spine, were previously denied. New evidence was submitted to reopen these claims, but it did not provide sufficient material to substantiate them.,A rating of 20 percent has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss since July 21, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities, upper extremities (carpal tunnel syndrome), and a psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral calcaneal spurs and PTSD were denied, while the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder) and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was remanded.,Service connection for bilateral calcaneal spurs and PTSD were not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic upper respiratory infection, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine condition secondary to low back injury due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective May 26, 2011, based on the combined effects of service-connected disabilities rendering the Veteran incapable of substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, anxiety disorder with agoraphobia, and PTSD have resulted in a 70 percent disability rating for depression from October 7, 2009. The decision also granted TDIU effective October 7, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cardiovascular disability (claimed as heart disease) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his deployment to Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions provided by the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically his social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VA is required to obtain updated treatment records, verify the in-service stressor, and provide a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and OSA.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his in-service tinnitus, sleep disorder, or other factors.

The Veteran's MDD is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection of MDD is granted. The Veteran's back disability (claimed as lumbar radiculopathy) is also granted due to its being related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right lower extremity nerve disorder (claimed as neuropathy), right knee disability, left knee disability, and anxiety. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service records do not provide sufficient evidence to support his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and other conditions. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from March 18, 2021.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, other than PTSD, dry eye syndrome secondary to diabetes mellitus, and major depressive and anxiety disorders are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded an increased rating for his psychiatric conditions. However, the ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities remain at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder, related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Southwest Asia, is denied as he does not have a separate and distinct diagnosis from his already service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and hair loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by hair loss is also remanded as there is insufficient evidence addressing the etiology of this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety are related to his service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.