Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, is due to her active service. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding whether the condition was caused by an incident during her period of active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran contends he experienced combat stressors in Vietnam and now suffers from PTSD.

The Board finds that further development of the record is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appellant has been diagnosed with various conditions and her attorney indicated interest in adjudicating the TDIU claim along with the PTSD claim.

The Board has denied a higher initial disability rating for anxiety with bereavement features, but the case is being remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision and new evidence received since the last adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) with persistent depressive disorder and moderate anxiety distress is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his incarceration at Fort Le, Kansas. The AOJ should arrange for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI residuals, and right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner is required to provide opinions on the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to the need for further examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome with CPAP, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety have been denied for ratings higher than 50 percent prior to January 23, 2018, and in excess of 70 percent from January 23, 2018. The Veteran's atrophic rhinitis has also been denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have had its onset during service or within one year of separation, and is therefore denied.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder (including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder) had its onset in service. The claim for this condition is also denied.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not shown to have had its onset during service or be related to a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and need for further evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional development is required. The appeal for increased ratings related to larynx, hypothyroidism, headaches, and ischemic heart disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic inguinal strain is dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary problems (including tachycardia), drug addiction, and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to new evidence submitted since the March 2009 denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right scrotal mass is remanded as it is related to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic liver disability and chronic adrenal gland disability are remanded due to contaminated water and/or medication assertions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition requiring arch supports and bilateral foot disability (including edema) are remanded as they are related to in-service physical training.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and increased rating for a skin disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation of denial and need for stressor verification. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after verifying his claimed in-service stressor involving travel with wounded servicemembers.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder has been granted, effective February 18, 2010.,VA is remanding the issues of service connection for a skin condition due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including MDD, PTSD and GAD; tinnitus; TDIU; and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. The AOJ is instructed to consider all relevant VA and private treatment records in the claims file and obtain any outstanding records as requested by the Veteran.