Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and Anxiety were rated at 50 percent prior to April 21, 2011. From April 21, 2011 to July 28, 2014, a 70 percent rating was granted. After that date, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with depressive disorder NOS (claimed as dysthymia and depression) associated with sinusitis is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under either DSM-IV or DSM-5. Additional etiology opinions are needed, and VA treatment records from Massachusetts VAMC and Lake Baldwin CBOC should be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder, and hypertension have been denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is necessary to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The claims for heart disease, hypertension, residuals of malaria, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder and TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the lumbar spine disability and left knee strain.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The decision finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and any other psychological disability, including an anxiety disorder, and depression using the DSM-V criteria. The examiner must consider the Veteran's in-service experiences and provide opinions on whether his PTSD is based upon conceded stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, effective October 31, 2003. A TDIU rating and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are granted from the same effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety prior to October 14, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with decreased work efficiency or intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as for obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran also needs a statement of the case issued regarding his migraine headaches and anxiety disorder claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an anxiety disorder is granted, effective September 25, 2014. A rating of 30 percent is assigned for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for MDD was denied prior to March 11, 2019. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher than 50 percent rating.,From March 11, 2019, the Veteran's MDD was rated at 70 percent. The Board determined that this rating adequately reflected his symptoms and impairment.

The appeal for service connection for headaches has been dismissed.,The appeals seeking earlier effective dates for tinnitus and a 70% rating for bipolar I disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder have also been dismissed.,An initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as ratings greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and greater than 60 percent for CAD, have all been dismissed.

The Veteran is eligible for a TDIU on a schedular basis as of August 3, 2018, and the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder, has been reopened. The Board found new evidence that relates to the Veteran's military service and granted his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury with anxiety disorder and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability were met.