Anxiety decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims to reopen for chronic fatigue and depression/anxiety with alcohol use were also granted, but the Veteran is still awaiting a VA examination to determine if her current symptoms are related to her military service. Her secondary service connection claim for alcohol abuse with depression and anxiety as secondary to PTSD remains pending. Additionally, her claim for an increased rating for lumbar strain with degenerative changes was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for anxiety disorder, migraine headaches, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and MDD, finding that his anxiety is part of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his in-service assault. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his condition is not related to any incident during his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's TBI was granted service connection, but his claims for PTSD, alcohol abuse disorder (secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, chronic adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and sleep disturbances were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, plantar fasciitis, chronic headache disorder, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and low back disorder are all granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and his acquired psychiatric disorders. The VA will seek additional information from federal records repositories, obtain updated treatment records, and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and entitlement to a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated treatment records. The initial rating decision was not about service connection, but rather about the propriety of reducing his rating from 70% to 30%.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for social anxiety disorder with depression is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to inadequate VA examinations and missing private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected GAD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, but his symptoms have caused significant functional impairment. The rating of 70% is maintained.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain. The remaining claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to request the Veteran’s complete personnel file and National Guard/Reserve treatment records, as well as schedule a VA mental health examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD. The Veteran needs to be verified at her current address and provided with notice on how to substantiate her claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty at Johnston Atoll is presumed. The claimant also had a current diagnosis of chloracne.,Service connection was remanded for skin cancer and hypertension due to potential radiation exposure on Johnston Island.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed anxiety disorder separate from his service-connected PTSD and mood disorder.