Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder was granted in a May 2019 rating decision. The claims for inflammation of the joints, chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, elevated white cell blood count (WCB) and chronic blood disorder, lymphedema, postsurgical hypothyroidism, residuals of radiation exposure, sleep apnea, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee pain are all remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, cognitive impairment, and adjustment disorder, is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for chronic urticaria with angioedema and anaphylaxis is granted at a 40 percent level, effective from the date of his December 2014 claim. The Veteran's PTSD with depression (also diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder) remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder II, is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities (obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and lumbar strain/myositis).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for vision condition and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw them.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, burn scar of the chin, hepatitis, and initial compensable ratings for burn scars on various body parts are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, now with posttraumatic stress disorder, was granted a rating of 70 percent prior to October 15, 2015. The Veteran also received TDIU effective September 26, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, PTSD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, neck disability, and both knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of his claims.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with dyssomnia was granted a 50 percent rating from March 23, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and after August 11, 2019 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety and depression as there is no evidence of a separate diagnosis, and the Veteran's symptoms are part of his PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for depression and severe anxiety. The case is now remanded for further development, including a psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder. The rating for the psychiatric disability will be remanded to consider additional impairment caused by MDD.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety, agoraphobia, and depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has expanded the claim adjudicated to include any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is remanded due to conflicting evidence and insufficient medical information. A new VA mental disorders examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. For the initial rating claim, a VA examination is also needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s immune disorder (evolving lupus).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, are related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), hypertension, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims for migraines are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, anxiety (acquired psychiatric disability), right ear hearing loss, blurred vision, anal condition, and hypertension have been granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The service connection claims are reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for a new one with a qualified clinician who has not previously examined him.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to November 11, 2013, finding that his employment was not in a protected or sheltered work environment and thus did not qualify as substantially gainful employment.