Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, right upper extremity numbness, left upper extremity numbness, and obstructive sleep apnea (based on secondary aggravation) due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder. The issue of an increased rating for depressive disorder with anxiety prior to May 7, 2020 is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy (left leg sciatic), and left knee strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, personality disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, has been granted.,A 10 percent evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities prior to March 23, 2023, is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining 18 years of age, finding that the evidence did not support such a determination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, along with his chronic pain syndrome, has precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the last decision, including VA treatment records and examination reports. The AOJ should review all of this evidence before readjudicating the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that it is proximately caused by the Veteran's service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, including skin condition, flat feet, GERD, left knee condition, left wrist condition, and left wrist scar. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and hypertension were granted service connection.,Several issues are remanded for further review, including initial ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The examiner must determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder and bilateral foot disabilities, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since March 17, 2022. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service. His acquired psychiatric disorder and right foot condition are not found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, separate and distinct from her service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not show a current disability of an acquired psychiatric disorder at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including anxiety and PTSD, GERD, hypothyroidism, joint pain, a low back condition, and neck sprain are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will seek verification of the Veteran's in-service stressor events.

The Board has dismissed all service connection appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,His erectile dysfunction claim is denied as there is no compensable symptom beyond inability to achieve or maintain an erection. His adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood claim remains at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding verification of an in-service stressor involving the death of a parachutist at Fort Bragg in approximately the fall of 1996. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for other specified depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches remains pending, but no new evidence has been submitted to warrant a higher rating. The issue of remanding for a VA examination related to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and lower extremity radiculopathy is also noted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the issues being remanded, so it must be addressed as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinion, requiring another VA examination and opinion.