Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was denied because the evidence did not establish that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's IBS, headache disorder, alcohol use disorder secondary to PTSD, and anxiety (acquired psychiatric disorder) other than PTSD are all granted as service-connected due to their connection to his Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the claims for complex partial seizures, generalized anxiety disorder and TBI, migraines, and TDIU due to evidence suggesting worsening of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to January 1, 2021 and 70 percent thereafter.,The appeal is remanded for additional development due to the need to determine service connection for various conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and migraine headaches.,There is no evidence of any current or in-service psychiatric condition that would support the Veteran's claim.

The Board dismissed the claim for a TDIU as withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney. The claim of an increased rating for right forearm scars was denied, with no compensable rating assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of all psychiatric diagnoses in the Veteran's VA treatment records and a lack of service treatment records from his psychiatrist. The RO is instructed to obtain any outstanding private or VA treatment records, including Vet Center records, as well as any missing service treatment records. An addendum opinion should be requested from the December 2017 VA examiner regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain a VA examination based on record review, and for proper Veterans Claims Assistance Act notice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (djd) have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and coronary artery disease. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot, right foot, and low back disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and multiple physical conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination and the need for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in the March 2020 rating decision. A new C&P examination is needed to address the deficiencies of the previous examination and provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and anxiety disorder, had its onset during or within the initial year after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attacks and his service-connected lumbar spine disability.