Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD or other mental condition is granted. The Board also remanded the case for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Veteran's epididymitis with hydrocele has been granted a noncompensable rating.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied and final claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's effective date for a 100% disability rating for his psychiatric condition was granted as of August 6, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current anxiety disorder is related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. The decision is based on direct evidence of the conditions' onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records, including VA treatment records from before 2010 and private medical records from various providers. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's MDD is related to service, separate and apart from his personality disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral glaucoma and alcohol dependence in remission (claimed as anxiety and sleep problems). The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions, and that any such disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.,The decision also noted that the Veteran did not submit sufficient evidence to support his claims for bilateral glaucoma and alcohol dependence in remission (claimed as anxiety and sleep problems).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to concerns about the sufficiency of medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are permanently aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. Updated VA treatment records are needed, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current anxiety disorder and depression are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, which was undiagnosed PTSD at the time of his discharge from service, contributed to his death due to coronary occlusion. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety, should be remanded due to errors in duty to assist and inadequate VA examination. The AOJ is instructed to attempt verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and schedule a new VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, major depression and PTSD, are granted an evaluation of 70 percent disabling. The issue of entitlement to a rating of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective July 30, 2019 due to his service-connected mental health disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to this date.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that his symptoms more closely approximate those associated with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, was incurred during or caused by active service.