Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for anxiety is reconsidered and granted. Service connection for PTSD is also granted. The claims for initial evaluations for hip and knee conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety and depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disabilities are not related to his military service due to a prior determination of willful misconduct in relation to his TBI.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of head injury, to include headaches (claimed as TBI), are granted service connection. A new VA examination is needed for the claim of residuals of head injury.

The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD or adjustment disorder with associated substance and/or alcohol abuse, is remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or render him housebound due to his non-service-connected dementia.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression with insomnia, is granted service connection. Sleep apnea, back disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and right shoulder disorder are denied.

The Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder in remission, is etiologically related to military sexual trauma that occurred during service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder from 70% to 50%, effective July 1, 2020 was improper and restored the original 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), is found to be related to her military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety and depression), TBI, and headaches. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.,There is no medical evidence showing any in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The earliest possible effective date assigned by VA is March 18, 2014, which is the date of receipt of her petition to reopen her service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder, is granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of service connection based on stressful experiences during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to failure to report for the scheduled VA examination.

The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and there are no surviving claimants eligible for substitution.

The appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The issues of a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, compensation for a vestibular disorder (claimed as headaches and dizziness), and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider the interaction between the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and his non-service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's current PTSD symptoms are associated with his military service.