Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition. The examiner is required to provide a more complete opinion addressing the continuity of symptoms and previous diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dementia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic adjustment disorder.,There is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins and scars in his lower extremities, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not require him to be in bed or unable to perform daily activities.

The Board has granted service connection for a thyroid disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) related to the Veteran's service-connected thyroid disability. The right knee disability issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted with consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD) encompasses the symptoms of stress, sleep disturbances, memory loss, fatigue, chest pain and anxiety, and phobias. Service connection for these conditions is denied as they are considered part of MDD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder was found to have resulted in functional impairment which more closely approximates the symptoms associated with a 50 percent rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's assertions suggest these conditions may be related to her active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as residuals of a tailbone injury, are withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the cases regarding effective dates.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for unspecified anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a higher rating for his GAD and TDIU. The Board has determined that the Veteran should undergo an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his GAD, including any suicidal ideations, and remands the issue of TDIU for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and 2) Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety). The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to active service.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder due to Gulf War exposures is granted, as the Veteran has a qualifying undiagnosed condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee strain is denied. The claims for increased ratings of other specified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (IDVS) and degenerative arthritis status post lumbar laminectomy/discectomy, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 30, 2015 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cardiovascular disorder (to include cardiomyopathy), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to his military service. The claim for residuals of a back injury is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and unclear notification of examination schedules.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, due to issues with service connection theory and need for additional development.