Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for arthritis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder), asthma, sleep apnea syndrome, and hearing loss. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service stressors of witnessing a rape and assault. The diagnosis is based on valid stressors reported by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for depression with anxiety, as claimed as PTSD and a mental health condition. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability prior to May 1, 2012 is denied. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits beginning July 31, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The diagnoses include PTSD, MDD, unspecified neurocognitive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in many cases, or an in-service event that is related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a heart condition and anxiety-depression, but denied them on their merits. The case is remanded to consider these issues again.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve is granted a 40 percent evaluation beginning February 20, 2014.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood and insomnia disorder (psychiatric disability) is granted a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for a compensable rating for his service-connected skin disability due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, prostate issues, skin condition/open sores on head, Alzheimer's disease with atypical motor neuron disease, PTSD, and anxiety. The remand requests additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee disorder, left shoulder strain, bilateral pes planus, and left foot hallux valgus have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to greater than 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder, service connection for alcohol abuse, hypertension secondary to psychiatric disorder, and degenerative joint disease of ankles.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and PTSD. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further consideration of the Veteran's claim, including obtaining records from his reported hospitalization during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and anxiety disorders, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastrointestinal disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records from the Veteran's private physician. The gastrointestinal claim is related to Crohn's Disease, while the psychiatric claim may be secondary to the gastrointestinal condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of a claimed in-service stressor and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and PTSD. The VA examiner did not adequately address relevant treatment records and failed to provide a clear opinion on whether the weight gain was caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a substance-induced mood disorder, depression, and anxiety as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's TBI causing major neurocognitive disorder, behavioral disturbances including obsessive compulsive disorder with depressive and anxiety features and ventricular to parietal shunt is rated at 70 percent. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected condition. The claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Board finds the previous VA opinions inadequate and requires an updated opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements about his in-service activities.