Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of records and failure to notify the Veteran and his attorney about the inability to obtain certain documents. The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric conditions is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected heart disorder. The rating for his anxiety disorder from January 24, 2013 to November 5, 2016 and from November 6, 2016 onwards is granted at 70%. The case of Individual Unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder is remanded as the evidence does not include sufficient information to determine whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's mental disorder with depression and anxiety is currently rated at 50% prior to October 12, 2018, and 70% thereafter. The Board has found that higher ratings are not warranted for any period of time. The case is remanded for further development regarding the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including depression with anxiety and panic attacks, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, depression, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, due to military sexual trauma in service is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between her MST and her diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, and the Board finds that TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical fusion, acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to incomplete development of records from the Tennessee Department of Labor.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety; service connection for herpes. The Veteran is to be afforded a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder was denied. The increased, 70 percent rating for service-connected anxiety disorder and MDD is granted effective January 5, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder manifesting as depression and anxiety, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder fusion and right elbow arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and provide another opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded several other issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Anxiety disorder, and Depressive disorder as there is no evidence of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-5 or a causal link to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), a low back disorder, tinnitus, a foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and hypertension. The reasons given were that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions, or evidence of in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee, right heel, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The VA must obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that his current diagnoses (PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder) are related to his military service, particularly his experiences during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder).

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the cases are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection and rating for various conditions, including anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy in the lower and upper extremities, as well as TDIU. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to address these issues.