Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for somatic symptom disorder with anxiety disorder was granted at a 70 percent level from April 2, 2009 to June 11, 2013. From June 12, 2013 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and other disabilities. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on these issues because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea or whether it is related to any service-connected disability. Additionally, he needs to provide a statement from his brother regarding his sleep apnea claim.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records should be obtained as they may contain relevant information about his SSA disability claim. The Veteran also needs to provide a statement from his brother regarding his sleep apnea claim.,VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from August 2017 to November 2017 reflect that the Veteran was in the process of filing a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, there is no SSA decision or medical records upon which an SSA determination was based. Therefore, on remand, all records pertaining to any SSA disability claim should be obtained as they are potentially relevant to these claims.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and lower back disorder were denied. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lower back disorder are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his in-service assault.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the restoration of benefits due to an incarceration adjustment. The remaining claims for service connection and rating issues are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders, was rated at 30 percent since March 29, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were consistent with a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, due to chronic pain syndrome associated with his service-connected right and left foot, left ankle, and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Veteran's other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder with anxiety was rated at 30 percent prior to September 18, 2019.,Since September 18, 2019, the Veteran's condition has been rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and concluded that bipolar disorder is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and residuals of irregular menstrual cycle due to new evidence. However, these claims are remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety/depression). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his right ankle symptoms and the need for a VA medical opinion on whether his current right ankle disorder is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety state, depression, and insomnia. The evidence does not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's current diagnoses and their relation to service. A VA psychiatric examination is needed to clarify these issues.

The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks is granted. The claims for service connection for a low back disorder and related leg disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with osteoarthritis have been rated. The 10% rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS has been restored from January 13, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he is currently employed and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, but denied nonservice-connected pension benefits. The TDIU issue is remanded due to the pending rating decision.