Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Veteran's anxiety and physical conditions, including ankle, knee, back, and shoulder issues, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered the VA to obtain all outstanding Vet Center records related to his service-connected mental health disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional medical records are needed and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is related to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error, as the AOJ failed to provide proper notice and scheduling for a VA examination. The Veteran was not provided with adequate information regarding the need to report for an in-person examination.

The Veteran's child, J.E., was permanently incapable of self-support due to a mental disorder prior to the age of 18. The Board found that J.E.'s condition prevented her from engaging in any employment and she required constant support.

The Board has determined that readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is warranted. However, a remand is necessary to correct an error in the duty to assist that occurred prior to the issuance of the April 2020 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were incurred during his active service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether M.R. was permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 due to his mental disabilities, including schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. As a result, recognition of M.R. as a 'helpless child' on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18 is granted.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the merits of the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's unverified military service records. The AOJ is instructed to verify any service and provide the appellant with an opportunity to submit additional evidence supporting his claim.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis, hearing loss, hypertension, and asthma have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues including service connection for left elbow, knee, hip conditions and secondary service connection for anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's GAD has been granted a higher 70 percent rating since November 2, 2018. The disability causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with dysthymic disorder and panic disorder, including a need to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressor and obtain VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and verify in-service stressors. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the appellant's service personnel records and clarify her periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The current decision does not address any rating assigned or effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically anxiety disorder. The claim is being returned for further evaluation and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the most probative evidence is against a link to service and concluding that his current condition is less likely related to his military service.