Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The claims for a headache disability and hypertension have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, claustrophobia, alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, and social anxiety disorder. The claustrophobia claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the August 2011 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Veteran testified that his health conditions caused his depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his anxiety disorder is granted. The Board found that the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity due to hypervigilance, chronic sleep impairment, anxiety, social withdrawal, depressed mood, irritability, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships warrant a 50% disability rating. Service connection for hearing loss of the left ear was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders and other conditions. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's meningitis and related symptoms are not service-connected, as the Board found that VA did not cause or contribute to his additional disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee, based on limitation of extension from February 23, 2016, was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for right knee instability from February 23, 2016, was denied.,The effective date earlier than January 14, 2013, for service connection for depression with anxiety was granted.,The Veteran's TDIU rating from April 10, 2012, to January 13, 2013, was granted.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to determine if there are any records that support an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and Anxiety Disorder. The Board will also seek additional medical opinions to assess whether the disability increased in severity prior to August 24, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of an April 1972 Report of Medical History indicating depression or excessive worry, and the need for further examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his fear of hostile military activity during his time aboard the USS Arlington is sufficient to establish a link between his current PTSD and his military service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service and if any other acquired psychiatric disorder contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder prior to January 15, 2013 was denied. The claims for TDIU ratings were also denied.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including obtaining work history details from employers and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his employment and earnings, as well as the need for a recent VA examination assessing his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and the Board dismissed the case as there is no longer a controversy to decide.

The Board dismissed the appeals for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and because some theories of entitlement need to be addressed. The Veteran's service-connected post-concussive headaches may affect his other psychiatric disorders, but this needs further clarification.

The Board found that the Veteran's need for aid and attendance was not solely due to his service-connected disabilities, thus denying the claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board is remanding all other issues on appeal.