Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, NOS, is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of secondary service connection and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of unspecified anxiety disorder is denied as there is no evidence prior to July 25, 2006 that he filed a claim for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining claims of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted an initial 50 percent rating effective April 13, 2019. The Board found that the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating were met as of his date of claim for service connection in April 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and no nexus between active service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms, while significant, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were consistent with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to incomplete development, including failure to notify the Veteran of scheduled examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by his attorney and additional VA treatment records. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and active service, or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety did not meet the criteria for a higher rating of more than 50 percent prior to August 30, 2014. The Board found that his symptoms were sufficient to warrant a 50 percent disability rating but insufficient for a 70 percent rating.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, is granted.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition. The examiner is required to provide a more complete opinion addressing the continuity of symptoms and previous diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dementia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic adjustment disorder.,There is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins and scars in his lower extremities, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not require him to be in bed or unable to perform daily activities.

The Board has granted service connection for a thyroid disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) related to the Veteran's service-connected thyroid disability. The right knee disability issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted with consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD) encompasses the symptoms of stress, sleep disturbances, memory loss, fatigue, chest pain and anxiety, and phobias. Service connection for these conditions is denied as they are considered part of MDD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder was found to have resulted in functional impairment which more closely approximates the symptoms associated with a 50 percent rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for these conditions.