Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since June 19, 2006. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, and for a total disability rating due to unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The decision found that the veteran's anxiety disorder existed prior to his entrance into military service and was not aggravated by service, while his depression is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims include service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not entitled to a compensable rating, while his anxiety and abdominal TB claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his adjustment disorder and service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed. His claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent since June 2015. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD due to military sexual trauma, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection prior to June 16, 2014 for PTSD. The decision found that the April 2012 rating decision was final and no new and material evidence had been submitted within one year.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The VA will need to obtain additional records, including counseling records from Fort Gordon and treatment records from Shoreline Community College.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are currently rated at 50 percent from October 24, 2012 to March 27, 2014. The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for this period. For the period after March 27, 2014, the Veteran's depression and anxiety are rated as remanded by the Board. The issues regarding chronic lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and right radiculopathy are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms prior to November 14, 2018 did not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating for her adjustment disorder with anxiety. The appeal is now remanded for further development and re-adjudication.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal as to all issues except for the acquired psychiatric disorder, which was remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of hypertension, stroke, loss of use of both upper extremities and weakness of both upper limbs, loss of use of lower extremities (also claimed as weakness of both feet), automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood due to the need for further development and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, type 2 diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder), right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, right foot degenerative joint disease, and hypertension.,The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure for hearing loss or Agent Orange exposure for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records did not document Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred during service, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling. The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for LLE radiculopathy from May 31, 2018 onwards and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent. For RLE radiculopathy, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating prior to December 18, 2012, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with prior remand directives and the Veteran's inability to receive a VA examination. The examiner is requested to determine if any of the claimed psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction is rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board denied an increased rating greater than 70 percent. The TDIU claim was granted effective from July 26, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, skin disorder, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's current skin disorders are being evaluated again without a discussion of his in-service diagnoses or his lay contentions about rashes during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was reopened. The Board found that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection for bilateral bicep condition to include tendonitis and bilateral foot disorder including plantar fasciitis are remanded due to lack of a VA opinion. Service connection for anemia and hypertension are also remanded.