Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, headaches, fatigue, and insomnia are remanded due to the submission of new evidence that pertains to a previously unestablished element of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions in denying the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The matter is now before the Board again.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are related to in-service explosions and he is seeking direct service connection.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is being remanded for a more thorough examination to account for the occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for an acquired psychiatric disability and psoriasis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 10, 2018.

The Board has determined that the March 2019 VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for an unspecified anxiety disorder, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's anxiety and memory issues were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia is reopened and granted. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's other unspecified anxiety disorder has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service connected. The low back disorder, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and eye disorder are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's GAD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol substance use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran was granted a temporary total evaluation for hospital treatment in excess of 21 days due to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism as a result of exposure to herbicides, but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is caused by and/or aggravated by a service-connected disability, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is rated at 70 percent, effective August 25, 2020. The Board finds that the symptoms of GAD more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.