Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified anxiety and depressive disorder, prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 25, 2014.

The appeals for service connection on various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and tinea versicolor, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since November 21, 2008. As of that date, his combined disability rating was at least 40%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for anxiety disorder as moot because it was granted in a previous decision. Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining in-service mental health records and a VA examination. The issues include determining service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and its etiology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as MDD, is related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of cervical strain (neck disability) is granted with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent from September 25, 2008 to May 1, 2016 for his acquired psychiatric disorder (to include bipolar disorder) was denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 2, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood effective December 18, 2018. Prior to this date, the Veteran's condition was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot fracture, and headaches have been granted service connection. The claims for pyoderma (scabies) and face lacerations were denied as there is no current diagnosis or in-service event supporting these conditions.

The appeal of service connection for asthma is dismissed. The Veteran's claims under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a CV disorder and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition. The issue of TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the evaluation claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and remanded the issue of determining whether he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety disorder and to include as due to service-connected knee disability, and insomnia. The Veteran's testimony suggests a link between his symptoms and active service, particularly his knee injury.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are granted as service-connected, with no specific exposure basis provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his rating and TDIU claims. The issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral venous insufficiency, stasis dermatitis, and TDIU due to inadequate examination findings.,The Veteran contends that his acquired psychiatric conditions are related to service-connected hypertension. The VA examiner in December 2019 found that these conditions are less likely caused by or aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions and to schedule him for another VA examination for TBI. The current rating of 70 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with insomnia will remain unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, other than PTSD. The claims for tinnitus, left forearm condition, right wrist condition (claimed as a forearm condition), right hand condition, lower back condition, and PTSD are remanded.