Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not have any service-connected disabilities at the time of the decision.,Service connection for PTSD and mild depressive and anxiety disorder were granted, with the Board finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his military sexual trauma during active duty.

The Board has combined the claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety into one expanded claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified mood disorder, PTSD, and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnosis of unspecified mood disorder is due to his service.

Service connection is granted for right hip stress fracture, posttraumatic DJD of the right hip.,Service connection is granted for left hip stress fracture, posttraumatic DJD of the left hip.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (also claimed as panic disorder) due to personal trauma (PT).,Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,Service connection is granted for cervicothoracic pain with right upper extremity radicular pain and weakness.,Service connection is granted for traumatic brain injury residuals.,Service connection is granted for brain aneurysm.,Service connection is granted for low back pain.,Service connection is granted for cephalgia (headaches).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and incomplete review of the evidence.

A 70 percent disability rating for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is granted, but the Veteran's claims for breathing disorders and urethra stricture are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was denied. The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Board has found that the remand directives have not been substantially accomplished and requires further development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, seizures, headaches, anxiety disorder, and back condition, cause significant impairment to the extent that he requires regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IBS, anxiety disorder, and low back pain, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records from Lake Family Medicine.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's anxiety and ADD are etiologically related to her in-service reports of insomnia, as well as whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by her service-connected insomnia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia with depressive symptoms, is at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting findings regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and drug abuse disorder. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant did not file a valid substantive appeal after the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of a VA examination linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for right lateral epicondylitis, service connection for left arm disorder, migraine disorder, left elbow disorder, bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder), and thyroid disorder have been dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew her appeals for these specific issues at a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left spontaneous pneumothorax as his claim was already granted in a prior rating decision. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and ankylosing spondylitis are remanded.

The Board dismissed the issue of whether severance of service connection for anxiety was proper because service connection has been restored without a gap in benefits or decreased rating.

The Board has granted a 50% rating for unspecified anxiety disorder as of June 2, 2021. However, the claim is remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are granted as secondary to his military service.