Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU prior to January 10, 2017 are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a disability of the cervical spine/neck, TDIU, and permanent and total rating due to inextricably intertwined issues with previously remanded low back and pseudofolliculitis barbae claims. Medical examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that her current diagnosis of Unspecified Depressive Disorder is consistent with diagnoses rendered shortly after service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric diagnosis during the appeal period. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for clarification on whether the Veteran currently has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant VA treatment records and afford the Veteran the opportunity to submit or identify any private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with an earlier directive to obtain private treatment records from the University of Wisconsin Hospital psychiatry ward. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for these records, and VA will attempt to obtain them.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with in-service stressors and a need to develop evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including myxoid liposarcoma and lymphedema. The issues were not addressed based on a presumption due to exposure to ionizing radiation or other specific service environment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development due to concerns about the severity of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and his ability to engage in sedentary employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. The remand includes obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and verifying the in-service motor vehicle accident stressor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, are granted as service connected. Service connection for PTSD is denied due to the lack of a qualifying stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the final November 2007 rating decision, which relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate claims of service connection for PTSD and a mood disorder. The Veteran's claim is now recharacterized as one for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50% effective June 22, 2016. This is the earliest date of factually ascertainable increase in disability.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his PTSD claim, left great toe injury service connection claim, and thoracolumbar spine condition service connection claim are all denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety has been granted a temporary increased rating from August 21, 2012 to February 11, 2016.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD was denied for higher ratings, and his TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an adjustment disorder with anxiety. The stressors reported by the Veteran have been verified, and his diagnosis of PTSD is supported by credible evidence.

From January 27, 2011 to April 18, 2019, the Veteran's anxiety disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.