Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified anxiety disorder, PTSD, unspecified insomnia disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder) on a direct basis. The Veteran's mental health disability is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inconsistencies in his self-report of mental health issues and stressors. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure of duty to assist, requiring further development including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, back condition, and bilateral ankle conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and anxiety, was denied as the evidence did not show that VA treatment caused his condition.,The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI, gastrointestinal disability (IBS), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, bilateral upper extremity disability, and back disability are all REMANDED due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxiety. The claim is based on the Veteran's credible account of symptoms since service during his combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and corroborating alleged stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease (ischemic), and an acquired psychiatric disability have been granted.,The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of hypertension began during active service and continued thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including his in-service shooting incident and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum opinion addressing service connection on both direct and secondary theories.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, a back disability, and a neck disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for social anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether this disability began during active service.

An effective date of September 12, 2008 is granted for service connection of Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety.,The Veteran's claim for Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy was granted in June 2016 with a rating of 10% effective January 24, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, has been reopened. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for right elbow contusion and Bell's Palsy was dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand. The effective date of the grant remains pending as it was not specified.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. The cases of erectile dysfunction, headaches, and sleep disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. The case is also remanded for obtaining a completed TDIU application form and for requesting an addendum opinion from the examiner who provided the September 2022 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury with light sensitivity, was granted a 100% rating effective September 8, 2020. The decision is based on the merits of the claim rather than any service connection theory.