Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as well as chronic sinusitis. Additional development is needed due to missing service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and unavailability of certain records. The claims will be further developed with additional examinations and attempts to obtain missing records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted on July 16, 2018. The effective date of this increase is set to July 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the DIC benefits claim based on service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, and is seeking additional evidence. The DIC benefits claim under §1318 remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders have been rated at 70% for the entire appeal period. The Board has determined that her symptoms more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and affording her with a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neurobehavioral effects/neurasthenia, depression and anxiety (including as secondary to neurobehavioral effects/neurasthenia), and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient development. The Veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefits records need to be obtained, along with any private medical records related to his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining a VA examination to address the functional loss of his lumbar spine on both active and passive motion, as well as in weight bearing and non-weight bearing positions. The examiner must also assess whether the Veteran experiences additional functional loss during flare-ups or after repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining missing service records and private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential private treatment records. A VA examination is also required for these claims.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are rated at a 50 percent since April 9, 2013. Prior to that date, the rating is 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for panic and generalized anxiety disorder was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault and stressor, as well as incomplete medical records. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information and consent forms for private treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected.,An increased initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS is granted a 100 percent evaluation, and service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for other conditions (sleep apnea, prostate condition, diverticulosis, high blood pressure) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder was granted with an effective date of November 17, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to issues related to right ear hearing loss and its secondary effects on the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed a notice of disagreement regarding his service connection claims for bilateral knee disability, anxiety/depression, and headaches. As such, the appeal is reinstated.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions and loss of sense of smell have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.