Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, and low back disability are granted. The claims for respiratory condition (shortness of breath), bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The claim will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder, and there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between his in-service experiences and his current symptoms. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an examination and opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder) and GERD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his combat service. The appeal was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis of depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and requires further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The evidence did not support a separate diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service, and the character of his discharge from service for the period from August 12, 1990 to October 18, 1991 is not dishonorable for VA purposes.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's headaches, neck disorder, back disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and depression are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left forearm and hand burn scars are rated at 30 percent, but the painful scars on his left forearm, left hand, and right thigh are rated at 30 percent effective December 4, 2019.,The Veteran's depressive disorder to include anxiety is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's depressive/anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but did not cause deficiencies in most areas. The Board denied a higher disability rating as the symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence. The evidence did not support a finding that any current acquired psychiatric disorder was related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and high blood pressure are granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to the need for a VA opinion on service connection for high blood pressure.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder. The Veteran is also granted TDIU due to the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder. The issues of low back disability, cervical spine disability, right leg nerve disability (including secondary to low back disability), residuals of right mallet finger fracture, and fatigue are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. However, further development is needed to address the merits of these claims due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding preexisting conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a preexisting condition worsening during service or any other link to service.