Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 24, 2014. The VA Board has found that a 50 percent rating is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU as of November 27, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Prior to this date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and GAD do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his symptoms are adequately compensated at the currently assigned levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for TDIU due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss was denied, and his increased rating claim for right wrist tendinitis was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder from March 29, 2011 to September 4, 2019.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressive mood was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 29, 2012. From February 29, 2012 to August 28, 2013, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and PTSD, but remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder due to lack of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Depressive Disorder and an earlier effective date for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, information regarding the qualifications of certain examiners, and further development of the psychiatric increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that his current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for verifying stressor events in service and further examination is needed to determine if any psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted for tinnitus, and the issues of service connection for arthritis, asthma, high cholesterol, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diverticulitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have also been granted. The claims for hearing loss and bilateral hands/low back arthritis are still pending.

The Veteran's vertigo is granted as service connected due to exposure to ototoxic substances during service. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorders and ED are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral achilles tendon disability is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis at his last examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a stomach disability is being remanded due to lack of current diagnosis and possible secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a blackout disability is being remanded due to incomplete VA examination results.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims that are also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss, unspecified anxiety disorder, and pseudofolliculitis barbae disabilities is being remanded.

The claim for reopening Major Depression was granted, but the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) remains denied.

The claim for service connection for PTSD with Major Depression and Anxiety Disorder was reopened, but the Board has remanded the issue due to insufficient evidence. The cause of death claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, requires the regular aid and attendance of another person as a result of his condition. The Board has granted SMP based on this need.