Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, a bilateral ankle sprain, a bilateral foot disability, a left fifth toe strain, a deviated nasal septum, residuals of an epididymectomy, chronic headache disability, and generalized anxiety disorder.,The Board found that the Veteran's low back, knee, ankle, foot, and toe disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to missing medical records and testimony. The VA will obtain these records and schedule examinations for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with cognitive disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety has been reopened. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and outstanding service records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is service-connected as it had its onset during his active duty in Germany.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's NOD was timely filed and has remanded several issues for further development. The main issues are related to increased ratings for herniated disc at L4-L5 with right lower extremity radiculopathy, status-post fracture of the pubic ramus, left, major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from October 1, 2014, to July 8, 2020. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted during this period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is found to be related to his in-service trauma or stressors. Service connection for this condition is granted.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury is also found to be related to his in-service injuries and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, to include syncope, head laceration, neurocognitive disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression is granted. The Board also grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chest pain condition, to include gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus.

The Board has found that substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was not met. The case is being returned to VA for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran's claims are pending and will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders, is granted as secondary to his service-connected Hodgkin's lymphoma. The rating for the status post left axillary/left subclavian veins blood clot remains remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that the symptoms began during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain any in-service mental health records that may have been maintained separately from her military medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for throat cancer, loss of taste, sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to secondary service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for hypothyroidism is granted as it falls under a presumptive disease associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding a TDIU prior to June 25, 2015. The case is remanded for issuance of an SSOC considering all submitted evidence.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle injury. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are being reviewed due to insufficient rationale provided by the previous VA examination. The Veteran's left ankle condition is also being reviewed for range of motion details.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, and unspecified trauma and stressor disorder, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of tinnitus was granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.