Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the issues of whether the character of the appellant's discharge is a bar to VA benefits, service connection for right ankle disability, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression), and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to new evidence received in May 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, left and right leg restless leg syndrome, blood clots, and costochondritis have been dismissed. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability has been denied. The Board also found that the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and the TDIU claim need further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because she has already been awarded a TDIU effective September 20, 2016. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) has been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding these issues at his July 2022 Board hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder, is found to have its onset during active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and duodenal ulcer have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating of his acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his current psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of service connection for agoraphobia/anxiety disorder secondary to service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's anxiety has been rated at 50 percent since April 21, 2022. The Board found that the symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating and denied any higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders, is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA opinion on whether his mental health conditions are related to or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence collection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for General Anxiety Disorder with Persistent Depressive Disorder and Lumbar Sprain with Degenerative Disc Disease were granted effective December 27, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to improper handling of his appeal in the legacy system.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for neck scars, bilateral metatarsalgia with hallux valgus, bilateral pes planus with callus formation, and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the relevant time periods.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records.