Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. The issue of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is reopened, and the Board finds that his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs assistance with daily activities, but a VA examination is required to determine if this need is solely due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and initial rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder) is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to May 25, 2018, or a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and seeking a VA psychiatric opinion to determine if PTSD and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder are related to service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board denied service connection for a recurrent left upper extremity disability, claimed as secondary to Parkinson's disease, finding that no such condition was shown during active service or at any time thereafter.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including obesity resulting from his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, generalized anxiety disorder, GERD, sleep apnea syndromes, and hypertension due to incomplete service records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder. However, the claim for a dental disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the appellant's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, respiratory disorders, lung nodule, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and irritable bowel syndrome are all granted service connection. The hypertension claim is denied.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and nightmare disorder) is granted based on in-service stressors and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of Major Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depressed Mood was granted, but the issue of service connection for Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis is remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's anxiety and depression symptoms from 1999 and 2000, which may be related to his current adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses of psychiatric disorders and the need for additional medical examinations.,PTSD is being remanded as there is a conflict in diagnoses and the need for an examination to determine its relationship to service. Service connection for bipolar disorder, secondary to PTSD, is also being remanded.,Right knee disability claims are being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses of chondromalacia patella syndrome and the need for additional medical examinations.,Right quadriceps tear and left quadriceps tear claims are being remanded as there is a lack of service connection evidence and the need for an examination to determine their relationship to service-connected right knee disability.,,

The Veteran's service-connected mental health conditions prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and a remand is necessary to obtain updated information about his employment history and a VA opinion regarding his employability.

The appeal for service connection of a skin condition is dismissed. Sleep apnea is granted and rated at 70 percent effective December 8, 2016. The acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and anxiety disorder is granted at 70 percent from December 8, 2016. TDIU is granted effective December 8, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and the relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and his period of service. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to determine if his anxiety disorder is related to his military service.