Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine condition, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, alcohol abuse disorder, and sleep disorder due to the finding that these conditions were not incurred in line of duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, Meniere's disease, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and lumbosacral spine disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's complete service treatment records are not available.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hallux valgus, depression and anxiety, a bilateral eye condition, a tracheotomy scar, a neck condition, and costochondritis has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,Service connection is being considered on the merits for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and PTSD, due to military sexual trauma (MST), is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received since the June 2011 rating decision denying entitlement to service connection for PTSD. Service connection will be remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from August 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for anxiety, depression, and right ear hearing loss have been granted. The claim for left ear hearing loss has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been dismissed. The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is granted with a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for depression and anxiety. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 10 percent for his left inguinal hernia repair scar is granted. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The VA will obtain private treatment records from St. Joseph's Hospital and provide a new medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches due to a lack of evidence in her VA treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any relevant medical providers.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain VA medical opinions and to review additional pertinent evidence, including VA treatment records from January 2017 to May 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for generalized anxiety disorder with panic and depression (an acquired psychiatric disorder) is granted. The effective date for this grant is January 13, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The appeal is now back before the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI symptoms do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, as they do not cause total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, diabetes, basal cell carcinoma of the left cheek, and a right ear hearing loss disability as secondary to service-connected conditions. Service connection was denied for residuals of a left submandibular abscess.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration. The Veteran's left shoulder condition requires a new examination to assess the severity of his flare-ups. His cervical spine condition must be evaluated in relation to his service-connected left shoulder condition. An addendum opinion is needed regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as an assessment of polyuria and hypertension.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. The Veteran's cervical spine condition needs a new examination that addresses whether it is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome. A new opinion on the acquired psychiatric disorder must be provided, considering the Veteran's contentions about insomnia, adjustment disorder, and depression.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder needs a new examination that addresses whether it is related to his service. An addendum opinion should be provided regarding polyuria and hypertension.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. The Veteran's kidney condition, claimed as kidney cancer, requires an addendum opinion addressing the relationship between his in-service stone removal and current issues. A new examination is needed for renal insufficiency and hypertension.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. An addendum opinion should be provided regarding polyuria and hypertension.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder needs a new examination that addresses whether it occurred in service or is related to his service-connected conditions. A new opinion on polyuria and hypertension must also be provided.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. An addendum opinion should be provided regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his service-connected shoulder condition, as well as whether it is caused by or aggravated by any other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, are granted. The claim for residuals of a left eyebrow scar is denied. The claim for residuals of a fractured arm injury (now claimed as left wrist sprain) is reopened.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional acquired psychiatric disability, to include aggravation of service-connected PTSD, major depression and alcohol abuse in remission is denied as there is no evidence that the VA medical care caused an additional disability or aggravated a pre-existing condition.