Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and tension headaches and migraine headaches are granted as service-connected, with the latter conditions found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes, PN BLE, CAD, and ED have been reopened.,New evidence has been submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for major depressive disorder with comorbid anxiety and latent PTSD from February 20, 2013 to September 30, 2017 was denied as the evidence did not establish occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms.,The Veteran's increased rating for major depressive disorder with comorbid anxiety and latent PTSD from October 1, 2017 was also denied because her symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records, as well as further adjudication of the service connection claim for epilepsy. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being evaluated in light of their onset during service or secondary to his epilepsy.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD), caused by a stressor incident during service. The decision is based on the Veteran's account of sexual assault in Spain while serving.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for depression and anxiety have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

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 for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression with complaints of anxiety and memory loss, is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of a diagnosed disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected anxiety/depression, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's sleep apnea has been aggravated beyond natural progression by his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder). The AOJ is directed to obtain the Veteran's Vet Center records and conduct any additional development deemed necessary.,The Veteran asserts that he has a heart disorder related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature of the Veteran’s current heart disorders, including whether ischemic heart disease exists, and their relationship to service and/or his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran claims a prostate disorder related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ should obtain the Veteran's Vet Center records and conduct any additional development deemed necessary.,The Veteran asserts that he has urinary and bladder disorders secondary to diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature of these conditions, including their relationship to service and/or his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran claims a bladder disorder related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ should obtain the Veteran's Vet Center records and conduct any additional development deemed necessary.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The anxiety disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to June 26, 2019, and at 30 percent since then. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or a TDIU due to lack of substantial impairment in earning capacity.

The Board found that the Appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions was due to willful and persistent misconduct, not insanity. Therefore, his service is considered a bar to VA benefits except for healthcare under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for anxiety disorder, breast cancer, right arm nerve disability, and hypertension due to potential issues with causation or exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between her current diagnoses of anxiety and depression and her active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of stroke, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim for a back disability is being remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings due to procedural issues, including a failure to issue an SOC on these matters. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it relates back to the original claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative in December 2019. As a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder (also claimed as PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.