Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions, including regarding SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, but no higher. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or mood.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, scars, tinnitus, history of basal cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to November 24, 2008. As such, the Veteran is granted an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss effective from October 31, 2002, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected Crohn's disease and anxiety disorder, which prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for anxiety disorder, depression, and substance abuse disorders as there is no evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board also found that secondary service connection for substance abuse disorders cannot be granted due to legal preclusion.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand requests and has therefore remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records from DOC and Ruth Cooper Center. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for clarification on whether any pre-existing psychiatric disorder existed prior to service and if so, was it aggravated during service. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability alone renders him unemployable, meeting the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate as of June 29, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's psychiatric conditions pre-existed her military service and if so, whether they were aggravated by it. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD or any other mental health disorder during service, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, insomnia, and anxiety, has been reopened due to new evidence. The Board finds that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all the claims related to increased ratings for various conditions, including radiculopathy, IVDS, psychiatric disability, and hearing loss. The appeal is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 18, 2008 for the 70 percent evaluation for anxiety and depression disorder. The Veteran's mental health symptoms included near-continuous depressed mood and anxiety affecting his ability to function independently, appropriate, and effectively; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle response; impaired impulse control, irritability with angry outbursts with little to no provocation, social isolation, suicidal ideation, chronic sleep impairment, and inability establishing and maintaining effective relationships. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are granted as service connected due to in-service stressors.

The claim for service connection of IBS has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection of PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, depression, GAD, anxiety, and TMJ are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, due to deficiencies in the August 2017 VA examination, a remand is necessary to allow for a fully informed decision regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and an anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.