Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, that arose during or as a result of his active service. The medical evidence does not support the claim and finds it less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder is granted. The claims for PTSD and traumatic brain injury with headache disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. The decision finds that his current psychiatric disorders are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the case for further development regarding the cause of his condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's TBI, including rating higher than 10 percent for the condition and separate ratings for other residuals. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability as a TBI residual is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety disability secondary to PTSD, and psychosis secondary to PTSD were denied as there was insufficient evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD or a link between the Veteran's symptoms and reported in-service stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of the Veteran's mental health conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and a headache disability due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature, etiology, and preexistence of any diagnosed conditions.

Service connection for COPD is granted due to the PACT Act presumption. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder, had its onset during his period of active duty service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical strain based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The issues of service connection for PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, hemorrhoids, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, lumbar disc disease and strain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee tendonitis, and generalized anxiety disorder are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran's right knee replacement claim was withdrawn by the Veteran in his hearing testimony. Claims for left knee degenerative arthritis, anxiety disorder, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia and anxiety is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no longer a question of fact or law regarding service connection for PTSD because it had already been granted in a previous decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach ulcers, prostate cancer residuals, anxiety and panic attacks, arthritis of the lower back, vision problems, umbilical hernia, high blood pressure, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis of the knees. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and major depressive disorder (previously characterized as agoraphobia) was granted, with a disability rating of 70 percent. The claim for a higher disability rating was denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for TBI is denied. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly for PTSD.