Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, left hip disability, right hip disability, left shoulder disability, and back disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased disability evaluation for unspecified anxiety disorder, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of renal cell carcinoma and anxiety disorder have been granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's GAD and MDD have been rated at a 70 percent effective from the date of receipt of her claim, February 5, 2017. An earlier effective date for TDIU is granted based on her service-connected psychiatric disabilities. SMC at the housebound rate has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and whether the Veteran's discharge is a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability, left leg disability, headaches, and PTSD due to insufficient evidence. The appellant's adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction and infectious hepatitis render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his cognitive impairment, irrational behavior, and inability to perform daily activities. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, toenail onychomycosis, athlete's foot, rashes on crotch, chloracne, diabetes mellitus type II, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower and right lower extremity neuropathies, and a left-hand condition. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions or any nexus to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and GAD. The appellant's claim is related to his exposure to graphic, violent videos during basic training.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience, leading to a TDIU effective August 31, 2018.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but denied the claim for Allergic Rhinitis due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding the etiology of the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear findings regarding whether the Veteran's mental disability prevented him from initiating or completing his chosen program of education. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records from penal institutions and any pertinent treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease and internal disc disruption status post fusion L4-5 and L5-S1, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical examination and review of VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and depression are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her employment history and current impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, including TBI, mental disorders, fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The issues of rating his TBI residuals, separate ratings for photophobia, speech impediment, and service connection for fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome are inextricably intertwined with the main issue.

The Board has vacated its previous decisions on several service connection claims and remanded them for further review.