Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's assertions suggest these conditions may be related to her active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as residuals of a tailbone injury, are withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the cases regarding effective dates.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for unspecified anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a higher rating for his GAD and TDIU. The Board has determined that the Veteran should undergo an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his GAD, including any suicidal ideations, and remands the issue of TDIU for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and 2) Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety). The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to active service.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder due to Gulf War exposures is granted, as the Veteran has a qualifying undiagnosed condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee strain is denied. The claims for increased ratings of other specified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (IDVS) and degenerative arthritis status post lumbar laminectomy/discectomy, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 30, 2015 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cardiovascular disorder (to include cardiomyopathy), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to his military service. The claim for residuals of a back injury is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and unclear notification of examination schedules.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, due to issues with service connection theory and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities have been denied. Her lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for left hand CMC joint arthritis, back disorder, skin disorder (psoriasis), anxiety disorder, right ankle disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and seizure disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Further examination is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran’s current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his active duty service. The decision is based on evidence of a verified in-service stressor event.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment in most areas, resulting in an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder and an increased rating for insomnia with restless leg syndrome. The Veteran was also unable to establish a new effective date for his service-connected insomnia.,The Veteran’s anxiety symptoms are attributed to his service-connected insomnia, which is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for elevated cholesterol. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, and headaches have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hemorrhoids, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous VA examinations and inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability prior to November 24, 2009 was denied. The Board found that the symptoms associated with the Veteran’s service-connected psychiatric disability did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not currently have a disability. The claim for tinnitus is granted based on credible evidence of in-service exposure to loud noises.,Service connection for the deviated septum, right hand pain, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep disorder are all remanded due to incomplete information and need for further examination.