Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety was granted. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and a stroke are remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition is granted. The Veteran is awarded an increased rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for his service-connected GAD and a TDIU due to GAD effective November 1, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed emotions (depression/anxiety), finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an inversion injury to the left ankle, anxiety disorder, hypertension secondary to anxiety disorder, and a kidney condition due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The appeals are pending until further action is taken.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is now rated at 70% effective from August 16, 2012. The previous rating of 50% remains in effect.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and a higher evaluation have been withdrawn by his representative. The Board has dismissed these issues as the appeal was withdrawn before any decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD, glaucoma, and hypertensive retinopathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are currently diagnosed as major neurocognitive disorder, chronic PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent, but no higher, for anxiety disorder and PTSD is granted. The Board also finds that the VA examination regarding hepatitis C did not adequately address the specific remand questions and requires additional development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with persistent depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to May 23, 2017 and denied for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot condition and an acquired psychiatric condition due to insufficient evidence on whether these conditions are related to service.

The appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request. The remaining issues of increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities; service connection for lower extremity pain and numbness, left ankle disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and fibromyalgia are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (PTSD), alcohol abuse, drug abuse, cannabis dependency, and bipolar disorder is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his bad conduct discharge, thus removing any statutory or regulatory bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD service connection, an increased rating for anxiety disorder NOS, and a TBI were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for anxiety disorder NOS or service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Service connection for GERD and Hiatal Hernia is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from September 2014 to January 2016 is granted. The right shoulder disability and anxiety disorder are remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether his current acquired psychiatric disorder and cervical spine disability are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record and a need for further review by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and headaches/dizziness due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's attorney provided additional information about his alleged stressors during service aboard USS Jesse L. Brown, which will be used by VA to corroborate these allegations.