Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for seborrheic dermatitis as secondary to service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as secondary to service-connected PFB, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder should be remanded to allow for a new examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse. The examiner is requested to address whether these conditions are causally related to in-service events or if they preexisted service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition. The claim was also not granted on a secondary basis due to the lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and mood disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service stressors and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and mood disorder associated with patellar tendonitis, left knee as the evidence does not support a link to service or any service-connected injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his psychiatric disorder before February 25, 2012 was denied. The claim for a higher disability rating from February 25, 2012 to March 28, 2017 was also denied. A TDIU beginning on March 29, 2017 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to his service-connected conjunctivitis due to insufficient evidence of a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's 'other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with depression and anxiety' is rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service sexual assault is a valid stressor and linking his current PTSD to this event. The other conditions are not presumed but may be linked to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and anxiety/depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after a comprehensive examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with intestinal obstruction and gangrenous small bowel appendectomy associated with abdominal incision scars with keloid formation and incisional hernia of abdominal wall. The remand is due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression and anxiety, has been rated at 70 percent since January 25, 2015.,Effective January 25, 2015, the Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, previously claimed as PTSD, anxiety disorder, and/or major depressive disorder is granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for a new opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements about in-service trauma.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient military personnel records for verifying in-service stressor events and a need for a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.