Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 100 percent, the highest available, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), is granted a 50 percent rating effective from September 26, 2005. The Board found that the symptoms met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted effective May 20, 2015, which is the date of receipt of the claim. An earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are found to have been incurred in service.,A back disability is not considered incurred in service due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.,Hypertension was not incurred in service, as there were no manifestations within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's headaches are found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and depressive disorder.,A left knee disability is not considered incurred in service.,A right knee disability is not considered incurred in service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied. New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety and panic attacks is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The service connection claim for depression with alcohol abuse is also remanded as there is uncertainty about whether he has a current diagnosis of depression independent of his adjustment disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, and bilateral macular degeneration due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for not meeting the low threshold in McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination based on the current diagnosis and in-service diagnosis of anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD secondary to MST, anxiety disorder, and depression is remanded due to the need for further development regarding her claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's mental health conditions and nerve disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 1, 2018, as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 50% from June 25, 2018 to April 16, 2019. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from August 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, low back, left hip, right knee, right ankle, right foot, and right hand conditions, as well as his erectile dysfunction (orchiodynia), head injury, headaches, anxiety, and depression. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back, neck, and left elbow disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric condition, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for ED as secondary to General Anxiety Disorder and for SMC for loss of use of a creative organ due to ED. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine if his ED is caused or aggravated by his service-connected mental disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder should be remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 23, 2016 was rated at 50 percent and now granted a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for vocal cord atrophy was granted at a 60 percent level. Service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, secondary to his service-connected vocal cord atrophy, was also granted.