Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and anxiety disorder, are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show a link between any current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, along with varicose veins on both legs, did not render him unemployable. The Board found that his disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board also granted the reopening of his previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, PTSD and MDD), bilateral frostbite residuals, and sleep apnea secondary to a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his anxiety disorder is remanded due to the failure to provide notice of the missed VA examination and lack of evidence regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms. The Veteran will be rescheduled for another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder renders him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for Special Monthly Compensation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nerve damage is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current nerve condition is related to active duty service.,Service connection for anxiety and panic attacks is granted as they are found to be symptoms of service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, including unspecified anxiety disorder and depression, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizoid personality disorder, major depressive disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder due to incomplete examination reports and need for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has worsened, and he is unable to keep a job due to his symptoms. The Board finds remand necessary for the Veteran to be examined to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current anxiety disorder separate and distinct from her service-connected PTSD, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's arguments and medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea, as well as the impact of his obesity on his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examination to determine the current manifestations of her service-connected total hysterectomy and abdominal adhesions, residual effects of hysterectomy.,The Veteran seeks higher ratings for her painful surgical scar due to hysterectomy, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood due to hysterectomy, and abdominal adhesions. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and anxiety disability is rated at 70 percent since May 16, 2014. The issue of an increased rating for prostate disability (benign prostatic hypertrophy) remains on appeal.,The Veteran’s right hip arthroplasty scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

An effective date earlier than October 12, 2017, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is denied.,An effective date earlier than January 16, 2015, for the award of service connection for a left knee scar is denied.,An effective date earlier than September 24, 2010, for the award of service connection for a right knee scar is denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a panic disorder is granted, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Board has granted an increased 100 percent disability rating for the service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe, generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The decision is based on total occupational and social impairment due to persistent suicidal ideation and multiple suicide attempts.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for increased ratings and effective dates have also been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have asthma or hypertension in service, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,For her headaches, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine if they were incurred during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental health condition, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and opioid dependency, finding no evidence that these conditions were caused by an in-service event or injury.