Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a sinus condition due to lack of VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and esophageal cancer. The issues are related to whether his current conditions are linked to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reopened. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding stressors and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for insomnia is dismissed as the issue is moot since her sleep apnea already encompasses her insomnia. The Veteran's asthma and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective September 13, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation as they did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders were clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by her service from June 2001 to November 2001.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for reduced cognitive function, sleep apnea claimed as sleep disturbance, skin disorder (other than eczematous dermatitis), and major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than an anxiety disorder, is found to be related to service. The low back disability and left ankle disability are remanded for further examination and opinion. The cervical spine disability claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder in accordance with DSM criteria.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is rated at 50% prior to November 29, 2018. For the period from November 29, 2018 onwards, his symptoms warrant a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding service connection for Parkinson's disease and anxiety. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with a focus on exposure during military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI. He also receives a TDIU rating and SMC at the housebound rate effective March 18, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for chronic adjustment disorder with depression and mixed anxiety has been denied as the Veteran did not report to scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. R. Anderson and any other relevant treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and mood disorder, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with instructions in a previous remand order regarding an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated by his service-connected cognitive disorder. The Veteran and his representative are asked to provide releases for any relevant medical records, and VA is to obtain these records. An addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been aggravated by his service-connected cognitive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 9, 2014, on an extraschedular basis is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his post-service employment history.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer residuals. His prostate cancer, however, does not meet the criteria for a higher schedular rating due to lack of renal dysfunction or recurrence/metastasis.

The Veteran's PTSD rating reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent is improper, and the 50 percent rating is restored.,The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn all claims on appeal, including those related to joint pains, bilateral hearing loss disability, TBI residuals, psoriasis, and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals as the Veteran's attorney requested withdrawal of all issues.