Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and depression, are granted as service connected. Bilateral hearing loss is also granted as aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis, while her anxiety condition with insomnia was granted as service connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar compression fracture, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder) are all granted service connection. Secondary service connection is also granted for COPD, grand mal seizure disorder, osteoporosis, vertigo, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has restored a 30 percent rating for his adjustment disorder with anxiety. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination of his left foot.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder and depressive disorder with unspecified schizophrenia is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher, throughout the claim period.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a mental health condition, including anxiety disorder, due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD (claimed as PTSD with depression and anxiety) is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression and insomnia disorders, as well as secondary service connection for depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of a TBI, an increased evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, an increased rating for his Achilles tendon rupture, a compensable evaluation for his scar, and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for some of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety and sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for hypertension and multiple sclerosis, both claimed as due to in-service herbicide exposure, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumps on head are not related to service.,There is no evidence of a separate clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorder during the appeal period.,Evidence received since June 2010 rating decision that denied service connection for neuropathy of the left upper extremity is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, there is conflicting evidence on this issue.,Right hand tremors are not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Left hand tremors are not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Effective dates for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied, but a higher initial rating of 20% is granted for both conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lower back disability are service-connected. However, additional evidence is needed to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder (likely including PTSD, anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder) and sciatic nerve disability are also service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, and a neck disability due to incomplete service treatment records and unverified stressors. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability remains at 30 percent. The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression are rated at 70 percent effective December 12, 2019. A TDIU claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all non-VA medical providers seen for mental health disorders and sleep apnea. A new VA examination must be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, including whether it had its onset during active service or is related to in-service stressors, and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for his lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The right shoulder and left great toe disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for periodontal gum disease and hepatitis A have been denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for his claimed psychiatric, heart, sleep apnea, neck, upper extremity radiculopathy, head injury residuals, skin disorder, ankle, or knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities including depression, gender dysphoria, anxiety disorder and panic disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.