Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary disorder is denied.,Service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety has been expanded to include all psychiatric disabilities diagnosed. The claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records and need for an examination.,Service connection for right hip DJD, left hip DJD, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, right ankle DJD, left ankle DJD, right foot DJD, and left foot DJD is remanded as secondary to a low back disability. Service connection for right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, right hand disability, and left hand disability is also remanded as secondary to a cervical spine disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinion. Service connection for skin disabilities is remanded due to incomplete records of private treatment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU rating is inextricably intertwined with the other claims and must be deferred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder with depressive features, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The claims include psychiatric disorders, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and is being remanded.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of generalized anxiety disorder is denied.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of left lower extremity sciatica is denied.,The reduction in disability rating for ischemic heart disease from 60 to 30 percent was proper and remains valid.,A compensable disability rating for COPD prior to July 19, 2018 is denied. A 10% disability rating for COPD from July 19, 2018 is granted.,An effective date earlier than January 6, 2015 for the evaluation of hypertension is denied.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, stress, and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the psychiatric disorder claim, acne claim, and genital herpes claim. The issue of a timely filed VA Form 9 is deferred until these other issues are adjudicated.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left foot disability was denied. For anxiety disorder, the Board granted an increased rating of 70 percent effective December 20, 2019, after initially denying it and remanding the case.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for mood disorder with anxiety and depression, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). This is because VA did not fully comply with its duty to assist the Veteran by scheduling him for a VA examination. The cases are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 29, 2016 is denied as there was no pending claim for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for anxiety disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits under Chapter 35 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for headaches requires a remand to obtain a more current VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, particularly regarding the Veteran's service in Turkey and his psychiatric treatment during service. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant personnel and medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, depression, and personality disorder, finding no current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment from October 1, 2017 to October 19, 2017. The Board granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent for this period.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for depression with anxiety, granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and found that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder (manifested by knots of the underarms and tailbone), and a right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability, nerve damage to the bowel, and nerve damage to the kidneys as secondary to prostate cancer. The appeal was not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as TDIU. The Veteran has not been diagnosed with sleep problems or a current disability related to his migraine headaches.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches remains denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while bilateral hearing loss and other conditions are denied.