Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to concerns about his current condition worsening since his last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, GAD, and depressive disorder NOS due to incomplete information regarding his service dates and potential treatment records. The Veteran is also requested to provide any SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, effective date, and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a kidney disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, left hip and ankle disabilities, cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity disability (left arm) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, and hepatitis C. The Board found that there was no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to military service. For substance abuse, the Board determined it resulted from willful misconduct. For hepatitis C, the Board concluded it was due to intravenous drug use rather than in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, had its onset during service and is related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, respiratory disorder (undiagnosed), and chronic fatigue disorder (undiagnosed) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified. The Veteran's diagnoses are linked to his in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including verifying periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for anxiety disorder was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 1, 2016 was denied. Since then, a rating in excess of 30 percent has also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claim. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is etiologically related to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder due to chronic pain syndrome is related to his service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left knee instability and bilateral ankle sprains. As such, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and GAD. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible in-service stressor of witnessing an aircraft crash.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and personality disorder. The Veteran was not granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety, depressed mood, and bruxism is rated at 70 percent since September 4, 2014. The claim for TDIU was denied as the Veteran is able to follow a substantially gainful occupation.