Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD due to MST, and depressive disorder was denied as her condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the appellant was insane at the time of his offenses leading to his discharge from service. The VA is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion and provide the appellant with another opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, psychosis, and insomnia) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder. The case is being sent back for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran requires regular aid and assistance, as well as whether he is housebound solely due to his anxiety.

The Veteran's tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder), and bilateral knee pain were all granted service connection. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its March 2018 decision, which denied a higher initial disability rating for the acquired psychiatric disability from February 6, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, chronic headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) require additional development due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as he does not have a current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type I or II.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, as secondary to penile impairment have been denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board's decision is vacated as it did not have jurisdiction to issue a decision on the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression associated with prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, type II, PTSD, and an anxiety disorder due to insufficient medical evidence. Additional information is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of diabetes and whether his PTSD and anxiety disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, sexual abuse of adult, depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression. The evaluation of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is also being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder alone precludes him from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation and he is substantially confined to his dwelling due to this condition. The Board has granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, was granted a 50% rating effective April 5, 2019. The condition is rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his combined disability rating is only 50%, and one condition (chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety) is rated at 50%. The Board found that the evidence does not show he is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination and the need for clarification of whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1815 and § 1805 as she does not meet the legal criteria to qualify for benefits due to her father's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, Opioid Use Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Chronic Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Features of Anxiety and Depression have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.