Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient notice of the December 2014 SOC and potential issues with representation. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder II, unspecified personality disorder, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, depression and anxiety, major neurocognitive disorder, unspecified mood disorder, and dysthymic disorder, are all being reviewed for their relation to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and sleep apnea due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, dysthymic disorder, and depressive disorder, are being evaluated in light of his lay statements regarding service experiences. If service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric condition, the claim for sleep apnea will also be remanded to determine if it is caused or aggravated by the psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected depression with anxiety has been granted a 100 percent disability rating effective December 5, 2019. Prior to this date, the condition was rated at 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the increase in disability had not occurred within one year before his June 2, 2018 claim.,Effective dates earlier than June 2, 2018, for the awards of service connection or increased ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the relevant period.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to TDIU prior to August 15, 2013. The Veteran's employment at ML was not considered marginal or in a protected environment, and his gross earnings exceeded the poverty threshold.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed mental health conditions, specifically anxiety and depression. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

Service connection is granted for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, anxiety disorder (acquired psychiatric disorder), and allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right knee disability and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, anxiety and panic disorder, and a back disability due to service-connected right foot disability. The VA is required to obtain records from the Oakland Naval Hospital and the Temple VAMC, as well as a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder (pes planus and plantar fasciitis with heel spurs) is granted as service-connected.,PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and insomnia disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Joint pain, tinea corporis prior to September 27, 2013, and a higher disability rating for tinea corporis from September 27, 2013 are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee osteoarthritis and instability, likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of August 30, 2018. Prior to this date, the disabilities did not prevent employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his anxiety disorder NOS prior to July 22, 2011 is denied. The appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder NOS after that date remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and anxiety disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and depression, was granted. Service connection is now established for this condition. Other claims related to hearing loss, tinnitus, pilonidal cyst, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hypertension and heart disease are denied. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (to include depression and anxiety) is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues. The right arm disability claim is being remanded for another examination, while the psychiatric disorder claim is being remanded as it is dependent on the outcome of the right arm disability claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and psychosis have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation.,No new rating assigned as the maximum schedular ratings were not assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, anxiety, and insomnia as they are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.