Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, previously rated as hypothyroidism with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is granted a rating of 50 percent for the period from August 22, 2022 to August 4, 2023. A higher rating is denied for the period after that.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was granted an increased rating to 50 percent from August 20, 2015 to March 11, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination. The appeal is granted in part as new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hand disability, claimed as arthritis-like pain in hands, has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he had full-time employment until March 2016, and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits was also denied because the award of a TDIU precluded such eligibility.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for new opinions addressing the pathophysiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, migraines, and anxiety disorder.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal at his July 2022 hearing. The issue of psychiatric disability (to include PTSD and anxiety/depression) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, had its onset during his service and is related to his military experiences. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to her acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and phobias, related to military sexual trauma. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's left knee strain is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and left ankle strain. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, and acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety), finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, due to the lack of a formal diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5 criteria. The Veteran's symptoms were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding causation.

The Veteran's claim for additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) program is remanded due to insufficient information from the retired pay center and DFAS records. The AOJ must provide a detailed review of the Veteran's compensation award, specifically for the period prior to April 1, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and the need for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand requests and has ordered a VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C. and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression) and a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's esophagitis was rated at 10% prior to May 12, 2022 and granted a 30% rating from that date forward.,The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder was rated at 30% prior to May 12, 2022 and granted a 50% rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as service-connected, with the Board concluding that there is no persuasive evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and active service.,PTSD is remanded for further development including verification of stressors and provision of a VA psychiatric opinion.,An acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depression and anxiety) is also remanded, with the same considerations as PTSD.,Essential tremors of the left and right hands are remanded due to their potential connection to PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The case is now remanded for further development.