Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric conditions, including insomnia, alcohol use disorder, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia, is granted as incurred during service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, is the result of active service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in December 2018, and he did not appeal. He filed a new claim on June 22, 2020, which was granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar II disorder with anxious distress is denied. The evidence shows that the Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment, but not to a level warranting a higher rating.

The Board's decision is vacated and the claims for service connection are remanded due to a clear and unmistakable error in failing to acknowledge previous diagnoses of major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 10 percent since July 16, 2016 and increased to 50 percent effective February 19, 2019. The appeal is granted for an initial increased rating of 70 percent for anxiety disorder throughout the appeal period.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining outpatient treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to unclear causation of the Veteran's symptoms. The pulmonic stenosis with anxiety reaction may be causing blackouts, but this needs clarification. Service connection for CAD and MI as secondary to pulmonic stenosis with anxiety is also in question.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorder, has been granted. However, the appeal is dismissed as the full benefit sought has already been provided.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for anxiety, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and edema of bilateral lower extremities due to inappropriate prescribing and administering of testosterone injections.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of service connection for bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and anger disorder) are now before the Board.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected psychiatric disability is established, granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection for depression and anxiety has been granted, with a 10% rating assigned for asbestosis prior to October 19, 2017.

Service connection granted for major depressive disorder with anxiety and folliculitis of the scalp due to presumed Agent Orange exposure.,Respiratory disorder service connection issue is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and/or mood disorder due to a lack of evidence linking her current diagnoses to her military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety now claimed as chronic schizophrenia/depression, asthma now claimed as chronic pulmonary syndrome, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the VA's duty to assist and an inadequate statement of reasons and bases. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the possibility that his service-connected disabilities, especially depression, may have caused or affected his unemployment. The increased rating for depression disorder with anxiety (now claimed to include a dental condition) associated with right-knee degenerative joint disease and other conditions is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.