Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided with a new VA examination to assess her IBS and PTSD, as well as additional records from the NPRC for mental health treatment. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private psychiatric treatment records she may have.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not file a timely VA Form 10182 (Decision Review Request: Board Appeal) on whether the RO’s April 2020 severance of service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder was improper.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the restoration of a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD was granted. His anxiety disorder with depressive symptoms were also granted, but the Veteran's PTSD claim was denied. The Veteran's ventral hernia is currently rated at 20 percent and remains unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, which was found to be incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and unaddressed psychiatric diagnoses. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, its likely etiology, and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the presence of other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, and a new examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence in full remission is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 70 percent since February 21, 2018. Prior to this date, the rating was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and sleep disturbance are granted with a 50% rating. The Veteran's cervical strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right knee tendonitis with shin splints is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's BPH is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's left shin splint is denied as not warranting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive features is rated at 50 percent prior to January 26, 2015 and denied thereafter. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating effective October 17, 2007.,Effective October 17, 2007, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he currently meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his full-time employment in a leadership position until February 2019 indicates that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and denied service connection for hypertension, high cholesterol, PTSD, and other psychiatric disorders. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart disability, respiratory disability, hepatitis C, anxiety disorder, lumbar strain, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, accessory navicular bone stress fractures of both feet, hypertension, and TDIU. The Board also noted that the Veteran's address has changed and requested appropriate action to reschedule him for VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for service-connected depression and anxiety associated with multiple sclerosis was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 13, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional development and consideration of relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA did not obtain adequate VA medical examinations and opinions regarding the potential nexus between the Veteran’s current mental health conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent, while his hallux rigidus of the right foot remains unconnected and not rated. The decision on TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety has been granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. However, his claim for PTSD remains denied.,The Veteran also had a claim for erectile dysfunction that was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.