Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, nerve disorder, PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and gout due to incomplete information provided by the VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran is not competent to provide medical testimony regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The AOJ is instructed to attempt verification of a stressor, obtain records related to disciplinary actions, and retrieve any outstanding clinical records from Whidbey Island NAS. A VA examination will be scheduled for the Veteran to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but denied the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private medical records and to schedule an audiometric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as a residual of a traumatic brain injury. The Veteran needs further examinations and development to support his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's migraine headaches and his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, lumbosacral spondylosis, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD, formerly characterized as anxiety disorder, was rated at 50 percent from October 3, 2002 through November 22, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from November 23, 2015 onward. A TDIU was granted effective October 3, 2002 through November 22, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The heart disability and diabetes mellitus claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for her service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for PTSD, which may impact the rating for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety is granted as service-connected. The TBI issue has been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder, and a higher rating for his right nephrectomy were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for depression and anxiety, right knee disability, right ankle disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) is granted. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional examinations or medical opinions.

The Veteran's anxiety disability is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling since March 1, 2018. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the specific diagnosis and severity of the Veteran's claimed depression and anxiety. The case is also remanded for a VA examination to address the diagnosis and etiology of the Veteran’s psychiatric disorder.