Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a right knee disability. The right knee disability remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further examination regarding service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is service connected as it was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was remanded due to the Board's failure to provide an adequate explanation for its ruling. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion concerning the effects of the Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar warts and schedule the Veteran for a VA feet/skin conditions examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disorder is granted. The claims of increased ratings for arthrosis post left knee medial meniscus tear, lumbar degenerative disc disease with left sciatica, and left lumbar radiculopathy are remanded. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded. His claim of an increased rating for anxiety, NOS is remanded as well. Finally, his TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending and will be reviewed with a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, is related to his active service. The claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is remanded as VA has not provided a VA examination addressing whether the current neck disability is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD have not met the criteria for a rating greater than 50 percent prior to May 11, 2015. From May 11, 2015 to April 4, 2019, the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, anxiety disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees, and instability of the knees, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the claims as they are no longer valid.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection. However, his increased rating for anxiety disorder and TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification regarding the Veteran's dates of service in National Guard, as well as opinions on whether his 2012 bipolar disorder is related to Hurricane Katrina participation and if any current psychiatric condition is aggravated by subsequent service.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left ring finger fracture with hand arthritis is granted. The Veteran's initial rating higher than 10 percent for left LCL sprain with residual fibula fracture, bilateral hearing loss, unspecified anxiety disorder, and fatigue are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression), and restless leg syndrome due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions and potential duty-to-assist issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, was rated at 70 percent prior to November 12, 2018. The claim for an increased rating is denied. TDIU from May 29, 2012 to November 12, 2018, has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as there are outstanding records and a new examination is needed.