Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for consideration of TDIU, and his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions. The Board granted TDIU based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's mental and physical disabilities make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder) due to incomplete development. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from VA and private providers.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in September 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as well as hepatitis C. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection and TDIU due to insufficient clinical evidence regarding the current severity of his service-connected conditions. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the impact of all disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating or an earlier effective date has been denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as they have been fully granted by a prior rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), finding that his condition is not etiologically related to service or proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and a mood disorder. The evidence does not establish that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation information. The claims will be reconsidered with consideration of whether the Veteran had temporary inability to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and unspecified bipolar disorder, are etiologically related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for depression and a higher rating for anxiety disorder due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. The skin disorder issue is remanded due to lack of clarification on the nature of the claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's current 30 percent evaluation for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder is insufficient, and his employability due to service-connected disabilities needs further assessment. The Board has decided these issues must be remanded.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 100% from January 25, 2019, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for adjustment disorder with depression, anxiety, and mild neurocognitive disorder due to TBI. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.