Anxiety decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety has been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% evaluation due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and ischemic heart disease have impacted his ability to work, but the Board is unable to determine the complete nature and severity of these disabilities and their impact on employment. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, and sleep apnea due to in-service stressors. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension have been granted. Effective dates are not specified for some of the conditions or issues. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective June 1, 2017.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected other specified bipolar and related disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, but has remanded her TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, including depression and anxiety, secondary to service-connected cervical spine DDD, lumbar spondylolysis with IVDS, and right and left ankle strains. The claims of service connection for left knee strain and gout, left foot, have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bruxism and DMII, but these claims are still being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claims for PTSD, depression, and anxiety has been granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder and anxiety disorder, is granted service connection. Recurrent bradycardia is denied as not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to include major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis or etiology of these conditions related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of his Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disability of the feet, and the claim was denied on the basis that there is no evidence of a chronic foot condition during service or since. For his anxiety disorder with TBI, the Board determined that the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (DC 9413) should be used, resulting in a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, high blood pressure, and headaches have been remanded. The effective dates for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD and mental conditions) are denied due to lack of prior unadjudicated claims. The effective date for hearing loss is denied as it was received within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric and sleep disorders. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions, including their relationship to service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, left shoulder strain, cervical strain, and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from November 25, 2009, to February 9, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his generalized anxiety disorder and sleep apnea. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression, is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lung condition and eosinophilia are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

Your service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder has already been granted by the VA. The rating assigned is 70 percent effective from October 29, 2021.