Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service in Kuwait.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and a major depressive disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and procedural issues, including a failure to appear for a hearing. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal by signing an Appeals Satisfaction Notice, indicating satisfaction with the most recent grant of benefits. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressed mood, as well as a TDIU claim due to lack of compliance with prior VA examination requirements.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms did not more closely approximate a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral inguinal hernia, residuals of a bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms since previous examinations.

The Veteran's mental health disability, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD and depressive features, is granted. Service connection for migraine headaches is also granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and multiple substance use disorders, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for tinnitus. The Board has determined that the maximum disability rating possible under applicable criteria is 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus. For other claims, a new examination and additional evidence are needed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, along with PTSD and TBI residuals, has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and its relationship to service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep impairment and depression are dismissed as the appeal is moot since service connection already exists for these symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of active duty service and need for further clarification on specific dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Appellant is also required to provide information about in-service incidents leading to his current conditions.

Service connection is granted for lipoma scars of neck. Temporary total ratings are denied for left shoulder and right shoulder surgeries. A temporary total rating is granted for April 2015 right shoulder surgery. The Veteran's multiple lipomas with residual scars, including newly service-connected lipoma scars of neck, are rated as a single disability. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development and consideration, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA examination for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding his pancreatic disorder and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to verify his reported in-service events, obtain treatment records, and provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided the case in favor of the Veteran, finding that his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities and will be remanded for further examination.