Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran needs an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to insufficient evidence regarding a head injury during service. The case is returned for further development and an addendum opinion from the July 2022 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and headache condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA examiner is requested to address the Veteran's lay testimony of having experienced symptoms in service and since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation during the relevant appeal period, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange. The claims are related and will be considered together.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to conflicting evidence regarding his employment history during the appeal period, and the lack of information provided by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's assaults during service and his neurobehavioral effects, as well as the cumulative effect of multiple assaults. The Veteran's representative also contends that the Veteran's numerous anger issues are acute symptoms of a mental disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the Board finding that her back disability and psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as diabetes mellitus (DM), were denied. The Board has remanded both claims due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches, as they are related to his period of active duty service. The claims will be further developed with additional medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, began during his period of active duty. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of noise exposure or injury during periods of active duty. The appellant's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability, as there is no credible evidence showing that the disorder had its onset during a period of active duty. The appellant did not have any treatment for such conditions in service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder, is granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. He also receives TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including social anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective July 13, 2017. The Board found that the condition warranted a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the Veteran's statements about continuity of symptoms were not credible. Service connection for ischemic heart disease was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with a new opinion from a qualified clinician.