Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The new evidence provided did not meet the criteria of being both new and material.

Service connection for anxiety is granted. Service connection for GERD and gastritis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 20 percent for his right foot condition is dismissed. The request to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is granted, and the issues of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (acquired psychiatric disability), and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder, had its onset in service. The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his in-service experiences aboard the USS Simon Lake.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations, as he did not provide a valid reason or justification for missing them.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's musculoskeletal disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder, bladder problems, urinary tract infections, and sinus condition. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo a VA examination for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, lung condition, PTSD, and alcohol induced anxiety disorder with panic attacks due to Agent Orange exposure have been reopened. However, the new evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating increases as well as a claim for TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder, finding that the appellant does not have posttraumatic stress disorder or schizoaffective disorder and instead has cannabis use disorder. The evidence did not support a link between his current condition and service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is remanded due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, needs further examination and evaluation. The remanded issues are related to the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric conditions or disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his active military service.,There is no medical evidence showing a chronic left knee disorder during or within one year after service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or treatment for a left knee disorder, and he was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease over fifty years after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including obtaining SSA records relevant to the claims on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims. The Board has also remanded several issues including low back, right knee, left knee, cervical spine, OSA, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination and the need for new evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including whether it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues, including service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for various conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. This includes obtaining VA treatment records from Fort Sill and scheduling a VA examination for PTSD based on MST and any other mental health diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood has been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Board has also remanded for further examination regarding her knee disabilities.