Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain all post-service treatment records from Chicago Read Mental Hospital and for an additional VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected anxiety and bipolar disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated examination.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression are service-connected as aggravated by his service-connected eczematous dermatitis/psoriasis.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective October 29, 2015. A TDIU rating is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not higher than what is warranted based on the evidence of record. The symptoms described do not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, are being remanded due to lack of compliance with the Board’s November 2017 remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression and anxiety due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of review of post-service records prior to 2002. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are being examined by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 22, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and frontotemporal dementia. The original denial in September 2013 did not become final due to VA's constructive receipt of relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's mental health disorders, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks and TDIU claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issue of TDIU has also been added to the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD. The appeals are now remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the claimed stressor and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates ranging from August 11, 1995 to September 17, 2014. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability has also been granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, is granted as service connected. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by a drug overdose, but the Board found that his service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to this death. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability and anxiety disorder are currently rated at 10% and 30%, respectively. The Board has remanded these cases for further examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and the issue of entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, finding that the in-service incident of a personal assault likely occurred and resulted in pre-existing depressive disorder becoming worse.