Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, anxiety and CAD, are found to be related to his service in Damascus, Syria. The Board granted the claim of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, temporary total disability rating for hospitalization, and TDIU due to additional development needed. Specifically, records from in-service mental health treatment are required, as well as personnel records regarding an Article 15 incident.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim of service connection for a back disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the nature of his acquired psychiatric disorders. The VA is required to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s reported stressors, obtain Social Security Administration records, and schedule a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet was reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of verification of stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is etiologically related to his active service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders and her claims for PTSD. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's anxiety and left shoulder disability are granted, but the lumbar spine disability requires further examination to determine its severity. The service connection for these conditions is determined based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for GAD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 100 percent, the highest available, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), is granted a 50 percent rating effective from September 26, 2005. The Board found that the symptoms met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted effective May 20, 2015, which is the date of receipt of the claim. An earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are found to have been incurred in service.,A back disability is not considered incurred in service due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.,Hypertension was not incurred in service, as there were no manifestations within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's headaches are found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and depressive disorder.,A left knee disability is not considered incurred in service.,A right knee disability is not considered incurred in service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied. New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety and panic attacks is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The service connection claim for depression with alcohol abuse is also remanded as there is uncertainty about whether he has a current diagnosis of depression independent of his adjustment disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, and bilateral macular degeneration due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for not meeting the low threshold in McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination based on the current diagnosis and in-service diagnosis of anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD secondary to MST, anxiety disorder, and depression is remanded due to the need for further development regarding her claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's mental health conditions and nerve disorders.