Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including TBI, neck disability, back disability, Parkinson's Disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is reopened, but his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's nightmare disorder with alcohol use disorder, depression, and anxiety is granted an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to the potential impact on the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a right hip disability due to outstanding VA treatment records, need for new VA examinations, and consideration of relevant medical evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee meniscus tear status post arthroscopy and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder) are remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the RO to comply with prior remand directives regarding obtaining federal records from the DC Vet Center. The Veteran's adjustment disorder claim and SMC entitlement are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed nervous condition, including whether it is related to service and/or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable rating and a rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder prior to January 23, 2017 and thereafter has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has found sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran experienced a personal assault during service, and thus remands for an addendum opinion regarding her diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for her psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to October 19, 2020 is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The SMC housebound rate claim is also denied due to the absence of a single, permanent service-connected disability rated at 100 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and to obtain a VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of all current psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective September 12, 2015. The symptoms described include suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and memory loss.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was rated at 30 percent prior to December 4, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is reopened, and the cases of right hip disability, skin disorder, sinus disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of earlier effective date for anxiety disorder with depression, service connection for right kidney carcinoma, sinusitis, increased evaluation for anxiety disorder with depression, and TDIU are also being considered.