Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and anemia have been granted. The increased rating claim for facial eczema with acne has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including verifying a claimed personal assault in service and obtaining an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, esophageal hiatal hernia with narrowing of esophagogastric junction, unspecified anxiety disorder, osteoarthritis with calcified peri-tendinosis in both shoulders, and dermatitis, eczematous, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of at least 70 percent for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a new VA examination and verification of his reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder with panic disorder have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating for the entire appeals period.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disturbances has been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was denied as she did not have a service-connectable psychiatric disability at the time of her October 2010 claim and has not had one since. The Board also found that any current mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are secondary to alcohol use disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and Anxiety disorder due to incomplete consideration of all relevant evidence, including lay statements about in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder is reopened. The claims for anxiety and cervical spine disorders are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rosacea and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (including anxiety and depression). The Board found that there was no current disability for rosacea, as it had resolved. For the acquired psychiatric disabilities, the Board determined that they were less likely caused by in-service events or injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues remaining pending further development.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of current disability evidence. Service connection for tinnitus and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is being remanded for the retrieval of updated VA treatment records from the Washington VAMC since May 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The Veteran asserts that his PTSD is related to witnessing a traumatic domestic violence situation during service and accusations of sexual misconduct. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, and neurological disabilities in his upper and lower extremities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea. The claims are also remanded to determine if erectile dysfunction is related to these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. Service connection for PTSD was previously established with a 30% rating effective May 20, 2015.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted a 30 percent rating effective May 14, 2013.,Prior to September 2, 2020, the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating. However, as of September 2, 2020, he is now rated at 70 percent for anxiety disorder.,The effective date for the increased rating was set on September 2, 2020.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as due to chemical sensitivity. The claims file will be reviewed by an appropriate examiner who can address the etiology of the diagnosed psychiatric disorders.