Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and unverified stressors for PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, are still under review.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for chronic bronchitis and restrictive lung disease due to a grant of service connection under the PACT Act. The appeal for PTSD and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders to include PTSD due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) was denied. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanded for further evaluation of service connection claims related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, bruxism, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and restless leg syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding etiology.

The Board has found that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's lichen planus, and remands his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, migraines, and seizures as secondary to his service-connected lichen planus. The Veteran was not provided with adequate examinations or opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, sinusitis with rhinitis, back strain, right shoulder strain, and gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD), have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders of unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder are found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD and asbestosis, and the claim is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bilateral metatarsalgia, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability is reopened, but the case is remanded to verify the in-service stressor event and obtain a VA opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by service. The RO must obtain the Veteran's complete military personnel records and pay stubs for his Air Force Reserves service to determine if he was on Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). A VA psychiatric examination must be scheduled to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development, and they will be reviewed again by the VA Regional Office.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as it was granted back to the initial date of claim in a rating decision dated August 23, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions first manifested during active service. The Board also found that the Veteran's OSA was caused by and permanently aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as anxiety and depression. The case is remanded to obtain a new examination and medical opinion addressing both direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of new evidence and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive adjustment, alcohol dependence and generalized anxiety disorders is granted. The appeal regarding the left hip disability is remanded.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of service connection for COPD was withdrawn during the May 2022 hearing.