Anxiety decisions — 2022

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for anxiety, cysts and a skin disorder of the face and hands. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and remanded the issues regarding service connection for Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, initial compensable rating for Left Hand Disability, and initial compensable rating for Left Hand Scar. The case is sent back to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for mental health disorders and diabetes mellitus, type II due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is being evaluated again, and his diabetes may be related to his diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorder, is rated at 100 percent effective April 5, 2016. The Board also granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance effective April 5, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU effective November 8, 2019.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, was granted a maximum 100 percent rating from February 14, 2020 to the present.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder is granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 12, 2019 is remanded. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's DM is rated at 20 percent, and he was granted TDIU and DEA benefits effective October 2, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for DM remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety due to another medical condition (chronic pain) as it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability. The decision also grants service connection for depression and anxiety disorder due to another medical condition (chronic pain).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information to decide the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic depression. A VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her service-connected psychiatric disability and a TDIU prior to January 28, 2019 is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies. Additional evidence must be obtained and the Veteran must undergo VA examinations to determine the severity of her disabilities and differentiate between symptoms attributable to each condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. The claims are now remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 28, 2017, TDIU prior to April 28, 2017, and DEA benefits prior to April 28, 2017, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's GAD was rated at 30% prior to September 12, 2022 and increased to 50% from that date. The Board found the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to his GAD.

The Board has expanded the claim from PTSD to include an acquired psychiatric disability, and finds that further development is necessary due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's VA treatment records indicate other diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, and MDD which were not addressed in the previous examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lipomas was granted and assigned an effective date of November 15, 2013.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) on a direct basis, finding it at least as likely as not related to service. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and its residuals are granted service connection. The kidney/ureter removal is also granted as secondary to the bladder cancer. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression) and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the bladder cancer are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, agoraphobia, and panic disorder with anxiety disorder have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.