Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the previous decision, including unclear verification of stressors and lack of discussion of certain symptoms.

The Veteran's right shoulder DJD is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to August 14, 2020, the Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent. From that date forward, it has been rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 5, 2020.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at a 50 percent disability rating since the appeal period prior to January 28, 2020. The Board found that his symptoms met the criteria for this rating based on occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service, including as a continuation of in-service adjustment disorder.

For the appeal period prior to May 18, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was manifested by symptoms productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 23, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for a new examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was granted, with the presumption of soundness at entry being rebutted by evidence showing pre-existing conditions worsened during service.

The appellant withdrew all his current appeals, including those for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board denied a rating greater than 50 percent for chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood prior to March 11, 2019. A 70 percent rating was granted effective from March 11, 2019. The issue of a rating greater than 10 percent for left hip strain is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional records and an examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder prior to January 12, 2016 was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating from January 12, 2016 for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and major depressive disorder was also denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for further examination regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The Veteran's reported incidents during service are being verified.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with VA regulations.,Service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder is granted, and the Board finds that his lay testimony establishes the occurrence of a claimed in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's PTSD with related anxiety and severe recurrent major depression has been granted, but the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if her disability has worsened since the last examination in March 2014. The VA also needs to obtain any relevant treatment records from psychologist Scott Fairchild and the Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected depressive disorder and anxiety disorder was denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS is rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2013 to April 26, 2016, but the issues of a higher rating are remanded.,The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder NOS is not currently compensable and remains denied. The issues of an earlier effective date for TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected anxiety disorder not otherwise specified was dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has decided that the evaluation for service-connected anxiety disorder should be increased, but more evidence is needed before a final decision can be made.