Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a sleep condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim for an increased rating for anxiety neurosis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of generalized anxiety disorder with persistent depressive disorder (claimed as depression and anxiety) was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar retrolisthesis with lumbar radiculopathy (claimed as chronic low back pain).

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to military sexual trauma during her active duty in 1988.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for mixed personality disorder, but it is remanded to determine if a superimposed acquired psychiatric disability exists and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and material evidence received within one year of a prior denial, and because there are discrepancies in the medical records regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The claim is being reviewed again with additional medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, a spine disability, right leg numbness, left leg numbness, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with other issues being remanded. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's GAD and erectile dysfunction are granted effective dates prior to the specified dates, while their bladder cancer is remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal for prostate cancer is dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her military service, as evidenced by her in-service symptoms and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and OSA have not been granted.,Service connection for headaches has not been granted.,The Veteran's left ankle strain is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety, adjustment disorder, and depression is rated at 70 percent since August 7, 2020. Service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD, a TDIU rating based on his service-connected psychiatric disorders alone, and SMC based on a total plus 60 percent disability rating due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran is also required to attend a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's major depression with anxiety disorder progressed to the extent that hospitalization was necessary, resulting in a 70 percent rating from September 12, 2008 to May 10, 2011. The Board finds further development is needed for the remaining issue on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent prior to October 11, 2018, and at 70 percent from October 11, 2018. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD. The appeal is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between his in-service experiences and his current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for anxiety disorder and service connection for a nerve disorder are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board directives. The Veteran must be afforded another opportunity for VA examinations, and any outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for lower back condition, GERD, Crohn's disease, and generalized anxiety disorder as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.