Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are based on in-service stressors and current diagnoses of various mental health conditions.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, anxiety and depression, and low back disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right arm condition is denied.,The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, right ankle strain, and right elbow degenerative arthritis are all granted service connection. The decision is based on the current disability, in-service injury or disease, and a nexus between them.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The issues of service connection for residuals of a healed right great toe fracture and a right knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and trichotillomania, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher evaluation as the evidence does not support total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's medical history and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches are being reviewed.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's psychiatric disability as of January 8, 2019. The Veteran previously had a 50 percent rating prior to that date. The decision is based on the severity and frequency of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, memory loss, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and anxiety disorder have been granted. The decision also remanded the claims for PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of a nexus between current diagnoses and service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is REMANDED as there are conflicting diagnoses.

The Board has vacated the May 2019 decision denying a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 19, 2013 due to new evidence submitted in June 2019. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as well as chronic sinusitis. Additional development is needed due to missing service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and unavailability of certain records. The claims will be further developed with additional examinations and attempts to obtain missing records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted on July 16, 2018. The effective date of this increase is set to July 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the DIC benefits claim based on service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, and is seeking additional evidence. The DIC benefits claim under §1318 remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders have been rated at 70% for the entire appeal period. The Board has determined that her symptoms more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and affording her with a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neurobehavioral effects/neurasthenia, depression and anxiety (including as secondary to neurobehavioral effects/neurasthenia), and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient development. The Veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefits records need to be obtained, along with any private medical records related to his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining a VA examination to address the functional loss of his lumbar spine on both active and passive motion, as well as in weight bearing and non-weight bearing positions. The examiner must also assess whether the Veteran experiences additional functional loss during flare-ups or after repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining missing service records and private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential private treatment records. A VA examination is also required for these claims.