Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder began during his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, due to a lack of evidence linking the current symptoms to service or in-service stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a pain disorder (fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome), an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, insomnia, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood), and a skin disorder (idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis).,There is no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during service or due to any in-service event. The VA examiners concluded that none of the diagnoses met the criteria for PTSD, and the appellant's symptoms were not consistent with other diagnosed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder and his service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnoses. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these disorders are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, are being reviewed as new evidence may support reopening her claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from September 10, 2013 to December 31, 2014.,For the period from January 1, 2015 to August 29, 2016, the Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The Board found that this level of impairment met the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, anger management, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities may be related to his current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD with sleep disorder and memory loss, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of misconduct leading to his discharge, and for service connection for psychiatric impairment in service.

The Veteran's cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and torso due to a motor vehicle accident, which is not linked to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence that the Veteran had a heart disorder or an aortic aneurysm prior to or as a cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess the severity of his conditions, determine their etiology, and consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff strain is rated at 30 percent, and his anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent.,Issues related to right shoulder joint disability, right knee joint disability, left ankle joint disability, right ankle joint disability, fracture of the fifth metacarpal, right hand, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the remand instructions and thus, the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of June 3, 2009. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted service connection.,Service connection has not been established for choroidal melanoma, dry eye, glaucoma, or optic atrophy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychotic disorder. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a supplemental medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder with features of OCD and PTSD.