Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychological disorder, including PTSD, are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee disability due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating for her right knee osteoarthritis are also being remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, which he believes is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board finds that the evidence does not support presumptive service connection due to exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. However, the Veteran's private physician has indicated a possible association between his psychiatric disability and service. Therefore, the case is remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rhinitis, claimed as a respiratory disorder, is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar DDD and spondylosis was dismissed. A TDIU prior to December 1, 2020 is granted. The case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU from December 1, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety or depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to a lack of current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. However, due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service, the case is being remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but total occupational and social impairment is not shown. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's anxiety was granted a 50% rating prior to November 19, 2017 and denied any increase in rating or service connection for additional conditions. The appeal is remanded for further review of the remaining issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and alcohol and substance dependence, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that secondary service connection for alcohol and substance abuse was not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, particularly regarding the impact of the Veteran's past hallucinations and suicidal ideation on her functioning during the period prior to October 29, 2016. The Veteran is required to provide a clear statement of her hallucinations over the claim period, and a new examination must be conducted by an examiner other than those who previously examined or provided opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression, due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and the absence of evidence linking current diagnoses to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia. The examiner will be asked to address whether any of these conditions are related to service or service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the exception of his right knee arthritis claim which was denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted as incurred in service. The Board also found that the Veteran's COPD and coronary artery disease are not directly related to service, but did not dismiss these claims due to a lack of evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Stimulant Use Disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5 criteria and insufficient evidence to support a link between his claimed stressors and these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including whether there are any superimposed disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, including a lack of clear diagnosis and connection to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted, and his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, service connection, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to quadriplegia and psychiatric disorders.