Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal of these issues during a Board hearing. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, but no higher, from December 31, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining deck logs from the U.S.S. Francis Marion and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and tremors).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding treatment records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability was denied. The evidence submitted since the July 2008 rating decision is not new and material.,The application to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a urinary disability was also denied. Evidence received since the final October 1998 Board decision and July 2008 rating decision are not new and material tending to prove or disprove the matter in issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, originally claimed as PTSD and mood disorder, was reopened. The Board also granted secondary service connection for anxiety disorder due to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with depressed mood, are rated at a 70 percent disability rating since January 18, 2022. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder prior to April 22, 2014 is granted at a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, should be remanded due to insufficient development of his claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from August 30, 2011, to April 26, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and anxiety was denied as there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the current symptoms and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing a current diagnosis of these conditions and a link to in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for hypertension. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability and anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection and initial ratings are being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including their onset during service and any relationship to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability resulted in total social and occupational impairment from September 2, 2008, to January 9, 2021. A 100 percent initial evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for alcohol dependence as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but the claims for alcohol-induced mood and anxiety disorder and tension headaches are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ESRD and depression and anxiety as secondary to ESRD due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new expert opinions.