Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence supporting a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The appeal has been denied as there are no additional symptoms or conditions that warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records are missing, and a new examination is needed to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities had onset in or are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection for TBI, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder are now pending.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective April 30, 2011. The appeal is based on new evidence that was not previously considered.

The claim is reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, namely a diagnosis of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, as well as a major depressive disorder. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records from VA and non-VA providers who have treated him for these conditions. A new VA examination must be conducted by an examiner who has not previously examined the Veteran.

The Board has found that an additional remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disability was caused or aggravated by his service. The case is being returned for further examination and a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran must be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and pending claims for increased ratings. The appellant's request for substitution as a claimant is also being considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea due to lack of current evidence or inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of scheduled VA examinations for his service connection claims and requests rescheduling. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder, NOS, finding that new evidence received since the June 2006 rating decision is both new and material. The Board then determined that service connection was warranted based on a personal assault during military service.

The Veteran's HIV related illness and chronic adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety are granted service connection. The low back disability and skin cancer claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol abuse. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and PTSD, due to military sexual trauma; service connection for alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD; entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for service-connected disabilities; and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Alzheimer’s dementia and the cause of the Veteran's death. The Veteran's Alzheimer’s dementia is considered to be a direct result of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, which permanently aggravated his Alzheimer’s disease. The Veteran's death was caused by a fall resulting from his Alzheimer’s dementia.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS has been reopened, and the Board is granting this aspect of his appeal. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders (including as secondary to tinnitus), and sleep disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, MDD, Anxiety, Unspecified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder), and alcoholism have been reopened. The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support these claims and grants them.