Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the appellant had active Federal service from March 14, 1960 to September 13, 1960 for purposes of basic entitlement to VA benefits. The claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets the DSM-5 criteria for these conditions. The VA examiners found no credible stressor events or diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor disorders, based on the Veteran's reported in-service personal assault.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for anxiety disorder NOS from August 16, 2012. The claim of higher staged ratings is dismissed as the Veteran did not file any motions or appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's anxiety disorder is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's MDD was rated at 70 percent from October 1, 2018 to February 11, 2019. Prior to this period, the rating for his MDD was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere’s disease and denied service connection for an inner ear condition other than Meniere's disease. The remaining claims of service connection for psychiatric disorders, vertigo, and chronic tonsillitis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, is granted service connection secondary to his service-connected residuals of anal fissure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, is dismissed as the claim was already granted in a previous decision.,Service connection for an unspecified digestive disorder is denied because there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder, to include dysthymia. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and a higher evaluation for degenerative arthritis with lumbar disc disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The alcoholism claim is also remanded due to its potential interrelation with the PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, anxiety disorder NOS, effective date prior to January 14, 2014 for the grant of 50 percent for anxiety disorder NOS, and TDIU due to in-and post-service symptoms not being adequately addressed by previous VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service, particularly his deployment to Saudi Arabia in 1990-1991. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Board has denied higher disability evaluations for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease prior to May 12, 2014 and as of May 12, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety, is related to his active duty service. The decision grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further examination regarding service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Affective Disorder, and aggravation of acquired psychiatric disorders by a service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to June 23, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are due to an in-service assault. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to decide the claim, requiring the Veteran to be afforded a VA examination with opinion on the etiology of his mental health condition.