Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disability, TDIU on a schedular basis, and TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 27, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for further development. Specifically, VA must obtain missing SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, finding that he did not submit a timely request and that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from utilizing these education benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the April 2018 Supplemental Statement of the Case, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder is being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA mental health examination and the need for further development regarding service connection for chronic pain syndrome as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee conditions and back condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, MDD, ADHD, and SUD. The Board also found that his left knee disability aggravates his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected condition (psychiatric disability), and the claim for cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether symptoms of non-PTSD acquired psychiatric disorders can be distinguished from PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for schizophrenia, manic depression, and anxiety disorder.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified and there was no medical evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities, including incisional hernia and giardiasis, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for GERD and unspecified anxiety disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of considerable impairment of health to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety neurosis but to include PTSD. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for low back disability, finding new and relevant evidence that warrants readjudication.

The Veteran's TBI, chronic gastritis, and sacral area scar are all rated at the minimum level of disability. The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg circulatory disorder and right leg pain/strain, finding that the evidence did not support these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his nonservice-connected peripheral vascular disease with osteomyelitis status post above knee amputation.,Service connection was also denied for depression and anxiety, as there is no credible medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, while other issues remain pending and are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of prostate cancer and coronary artery bypass, as well as service connection for gout, hypertension (due to service-connected coronary artery bypass), a left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is also remanded because there has not been a proper C&P exam.

The Board has granted the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include an anxiety disorder. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the delay in reporting biopsy results and treatment caused additional disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with OCD, anxiety and depression was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to service and granted the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and review by the AOJ. The issues of PTSD, hypertension, sleep apnea, and hepatitis C secondary to PTSD are still under consideration.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 5, 2019. He also received a grant of TDIU.