Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his claims of increased ratings and service connection. The Board will not continue to consider the initial rating claim until this additional evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety was reduced from 70% to 50%, but the Board has restored the original 70% rating as it is determined that the reduction was improper.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 50 percent effective September 20, 2017, and the appeal for a higher rating has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and disability evaluations are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as the RO failed to provide an Informal Conference.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, or anxiety due to personal trauma. The issue of service connection for endometriosis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and anxiety disorder are all granted service connection. The conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The case is remanded for an examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed, including obtaining personnel records and unit histories.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, private treatment records, and an examination addressing the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for anxiety and depression, service connection for throat pain and irritation with GERD, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and the need to obtain OPM records related to the Veteran's retirement.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all granted as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal impairments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of a personal or sexual assault during military service that caused his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted the severance of service connection for prostate cancer, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood (psychiatric condition), and erectile dysfunction. The SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was also discontinued.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 15, 1972 for the award of service connection for anxiety disorder. The issue of a higher rating and TDIU are remanded due to missing VA treatment records and employment information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Schizotypal Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Stimulant Use Disorder (cocaine) in sustained remission are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new or addendum VA mental health examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 2014 VA examination was inadequate and a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing his hospitalizations in March 2014. The AOJ did not comply with the Board’s remand directives, so a new VA psychiatric examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and other significant conditions listed on his death certificate were not caused by events during active service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with osteoarthritis. The Board has also determined that a remand is necessary for the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 9, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for his psychiatric disability is dismissed as the Board's October 2018 decision has already decided the matter of staged ratings.