Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depressive disorder, and PTSD, is granted as service connected due to the disability being aggravated beyond its natural course during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's mental health condition and for the RO to decide the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from September 2014. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating from March 4, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and mood disorder NOS. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as adjustment reaction with anxiety and depressive features, is granted. The effective date is set at May 15, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and a need for an adequate VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of PTSD related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for other acquired psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding pre-existence and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric, hearing loss, tinnitus, shoulder, foot, knee, heel/ankle disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and Chapter 35 (DEA) benefits, finding that service connection was not in effect prior to January 10, 2013 for her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as it was not factually ascertainable that her service-connected disability rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation within one year prior to December 21, 2018.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed conditions, which include gastrointestinal issues and varicose veins. The examinations will also assess whether any of these conditions are related to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression and PTSD is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for memory loss is denied because it is a manifestation of his service-connected PTSD with minor neurocognitive disorder and mild memory loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including the completion of a VA Form 21-8940 to assess her employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the spine and remanded his claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, a left arm disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, anxiety and depression).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to be related to his service due to personal assaults during active duty. The claim is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, right upper extremity neuropathy, and anxiety as there is no current disability in any of these conditions that meets VA criteria.