Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a formal VA examination for the acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and anxiety). The claim is also being remanded because new evidence was submitted that may warrant reopening the previously denied claim.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability (chronic low back pain), chronic cervical strain, allergic rhinitis, gastrointestinal disabilities, colon diverticulosis, and degenerative joint diseases of multiple joints. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent from June 19, 2009, but the initial claim for higher ratings prior to that date remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically GAD, PTSD, and depression. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety. The examiner should consider all in-service stressors reported by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disorder, denied compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and GERD with IBS, and denied increased ratings for GAD with bruxism and ADHD. The Veteran's GAD with bruxism and ADHD was granted a 30 percent rating from July 20, 2020 to December 22, 2020.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity vascular disabilities and heart disability are denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of additional disability or fault on VA's part.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence and additional development. The case will be reviewed to determine if her current mental health conditions are related to her active service, including a physical assault resulting in a miscarriage during her first period of service and military sexual trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) and chronic renal/kidney disease (CKD), but has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral lower extremities due to potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder. The case is remanded to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right hamstring disability, and left hamstring disability must be remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected psychiatric disability did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment as of August 22, 2013. The Board has remanded the issue for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, TDIU, and DEA due to outstanding VA records from Vet Centers that have not been obtained.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression with anxiety, alcohol use disorder, insomnia, and somatic symptom disorder is remanded due to the need for further examination. The examiner should determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at a 30 percent level, and the Board granted an additional 20 percent rating to reach a total of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and research into his reported stressors. The Board will consider whether new evidence supports reopening of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as his claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The issues are being remanded due to incomplete development of records and failure to obtain a VA examination.