Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, tinnitus, and generalized anxiety disorder, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw all remaining issues, including service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for anxiety disorder due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as anxiety and depressive disorder, were not incurred in service. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder from November 15, 2006 to November 3, 2011 more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Appellant's participation in Exercise Intrinsic Action in 1997 and his psychiatric condition during service. The AOJ will gather additional records, including from D Co, 2-5 CAV, 1st CAV DIV, and obtain updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's anxiety disorder and denied an earlier effective date for his TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and an inadequate etiological opinion. The appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified anxiety disorder, is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to verify a claimed in-service stressor related to witnessing the death of a fellow sailor during drills while on board the ship, which is necessary for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder, and bilateral flat feet is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depressive disorder with anxiety distress and flat feet with bilateral plantar fasciitis) preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and TDIU to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 27, 2011 for the grant of service connection for a depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is granted. The Board also remanded claims for TDIU and DEA eligibility due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the earlier effective date decision.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and medical opinions are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding the relationship between his prostate cancer and service as well as the diagnosis of PTSD. The Board has therefore ordered remand to obtain additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted a 70 percent rating beginning June 1, 2015. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches and major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for a posterior rib cage condition is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was resolved in favor of the Veteran with a full grant of benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's substance abuse disorder is secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, as well as to evaluate his current level of disability due to both conditions. The TDIU case is also being remanded.