Anxiety decisions — 2020

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability and radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding his psychiatric disorder claims.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart disability, service connection for a right knee disability, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety condition and panic disorder), a low back condition, and a right hip condition have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, a right hip condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 4, 2011 for the grant of service connection for anxiety. The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's claim was pending and his condition existed before he filed the initial claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied due to the lack of meeting schedular requirements. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), sleep disorder, TBI, head scar, and skull disorder are now pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating and TDIU prior to June 2017 is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and an unspecified psychosocial circumstance. The Veteran's service records indicate he reported symptoms during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's anxiety disorder. The Veteran reported watching soldiers get killed and injured, as well as being ambushed by Iraqi citizens during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's personality disorder was not related to his service and that any diagnosed conditions were part of his personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his anxiety disorder, which had its onset during active service and contributed substantially to his acute myocardial infarction.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations and his need for a new examination. The claims are being considered based on any acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, or substance use disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, is related to his military service. However, due to insufficient evidence provided by the VA examiner in August 2020, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA to obtain relevant private treatment records from identified sources.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to inadequate VA examination and lack of records. The Veteran's widow provided a statement describing her observations regarding his psychiatric symptoms, but the VA examiner was unable to provide an opinion without additional information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.