Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric condition to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, dissociative disorder, and schizoaffective disorder due to unresolved medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, is rated at a 30 percent disability prior to February 14, 2022, and at a 50 percent rating thereafter. The Board has determined that the evidence supports an initial 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD from September 29, 2022, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including attempted corroboration of in-service stressors and a VA mental health examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety is found to have caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea, and he is granted service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting an initial disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has found that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder tendonitis, right shoulder condition (impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis), anxiety, and depression. The issues are being remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for PTSD and kidney failure is granted. The claim for a kidney disorder, related to service-connected psychiatric disorders, is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, claimed as PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin condition, and sleep apnea due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran is not provided with VA examinations as his diagnoses are current and he has provided sufficient evidence of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU prior to September 23, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, memory loss as secondary to multiple sclerosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression) as secondary to multiple sclerosis due to lack of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions addressing the etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disorders on a direct and secondary basis.

The Veteran's PTSD with adjustment disorder and anxiety is rated at 70 percent, effective July 29, 2015. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression), and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD was granted. The low back disability received increased ratings, while other claims were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hand, knee, and ankle disabilities as well as his psychiatric disorders due to inadequate examination and opinion. Additional examinations are needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received since the March 2014 rating decision, allowing the reopening of this claim. However, the issues regarding a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left achilles tendonitis are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder are likely due to traumatic events during her military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are denied as these conditions are symptoms of his already service-connected schizoaffective disorder.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia, is granted. The claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and COPD are remanded.