Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's syndrome and a psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as the rating for his right knee disabilities have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being reviewed, and his TDIU claim will be reconsidered after the service connection issue is resolved.

The Veteran's request to withdraw his claim for peripheral vestibular disorder was granted. The claims of bilateral hearing loss and valvular heart disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease) were reopened due to the submission of new evidence, but service connection was not established. Service connection for anxiety and panic disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in both the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD, as the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine if these conditions are related to his service. The VA examinations conducted did not address all aspects of the claims, particularly regarding the stressors claimed by the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for rectal incontinence. The Board granted service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to military sexual trauma (MST) during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an addendum opinion from a healthcare provider.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS is rated at 50 percent from May 31, 2013 to February 27, 2014. The rating was increased to 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for a headache disorder was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic headache disability.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety and anxiety is set at September 12, 2013, which is when the Veteran filed an informal claim.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for dermatitis is set at October 7, 2013, based on a telephone call from the Veteran to VA requesting service connection for his skin rash and other disabilities.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for a scar due to back surgery is set at July 8, 2014, which is when the Veteran underwent the surgery resulting in the scar.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for his service-connected dermatitis was denied as it does not meet the criteria for such a rating under the applicable VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence and outstanding records, including VA treatment records and confirmation of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Reserve service treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination for psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend a VA examination for his psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is advised that failing to report for the scheduled examination may have adverse consequences on his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale provided for the denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and related conditions. The Veteran's stressors need clarification, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Unspecified Depressive Disorder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia as related to service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder and TDIU due to service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety and depression (claimed as PTSD). The case will be reviewed again with a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder effective February 17, 1969. The Veteran's claim was pending since February 1969 and the evidence showed that his symptoms had been present since his military service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, completing a VA Form 21-8940, and scheduling an examination. The issues of rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as TDIU due to these conditions, are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for anxiety disorder (previously diagnosed as major depressive disorder) is dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.