Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service and the gap between discharge and diagnosis is too large to establish continuity.,Tinnitus is granted as it is related to military noise exposure, despite the examiner's opinion that his MOS had a low probability for hazardous noise exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is service-connected.,The right wrist condition is remanded due to lack of in-service diagnosis and treatment, despite the Veteran's reports of injury during service.,The respiratory condition is remanded as there was no diagnosed respiratory condition at the time of examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide records from Dr. S., and a VA psychiatrist must conduct an examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD is dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating assigned for major depression with generalized anxiety disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim of a schedular rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected conditions is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act presumption of service connection. High cholesterol, tremors, a skin disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's nightmares/fear of falling claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and related conditions are granted. The Board also dismissed the freestanding claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at a 100% disability effective March 18, 2014. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to this condition is moot as the Veteran now has a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, hypertension, left varicocele, and eye disability, have prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment prior to March 12, 2020.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, and PTSD. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder and prostate cancer have been granted increased ratings, effective November 8, 2023. The Veteran also received earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate prior to July 19, 2021 was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or a TDIU due solely to a single disability and additional service-connected disability ratable at 60%, separate and distinct from the 100% service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bile duct cancer, anxiety, and depression due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for right big toe injury, but has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome with glenohumeral joint dislocation, lower back injury/strain, and right ankle injury/strain. Service connection is also remanded for anxiety with depression and insomnia.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, with no compensable rating assigned. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent from June 20, 2017. Service connection for left knee arthritis was not granted. Effective June 20, 2017, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted in a May 2021 rating decision, and the appeal is dismissed as it has been fully granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's in-service sexual assault (MST). The decision is based on credible evidence of the stressor incident.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are superimposed on or separate from his in-service personality disorder.