Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and specific phobia is rated at 70 percent from August 27, 2018 to February 17, 2020. The rating will be granted but not higher.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety from April 25, 2017 is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the condition manifests with occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including whether they are superimposed on a personality disorder during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders, including MDD with anxiety. The Veteran's hearing loss is also remanded for further examination and opinion. The effective date for service connection remains pending as it was not established in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, Insomnia Disorder, and Alcohol Use Disorder, due to military sexual trauma experienced during active duty.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 3, 1992 for the assignment of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that this rating does not adequately reflect his current level of impairment. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical records and procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disability has been reopened. Service connection is granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, should be remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA Vet Center records from Mesquite, Texas. The Veteran is also advised that if he does not attend the scheduled examination without good cause, his increased rating claim will be denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for psychiatric disability, penile disability, abscesses of the groin area including the scrotum and buttocks, and cellulitis of the lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and a sleep condition, finding that these conditions are symptoms of his already service-connected PTSD with opioid use disorder.,Both the anxiety and sleep condition were deemed to be secondary to the Veteran's PTSD with opioid use disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of additional VA treatment records and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include generalized anxiety disorder, are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder, unspecified due to in-service stressors. Additional development is needed including obtaining verification of reported in-service stressors and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as it is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep disorder and its relationship to his service-connected psychiatric disability, as well as whether he has any other separate and distinct sleep disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for acid reflux, hemorrhoids, residuals of Depo-Provera, migraine headaches, and anxiety and insomnia due to a lack of a VA examination specifically addressing these conditions. The Veteran is presumed competent to report her symptoms during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for OSA is granted, and his anxiety disorder rating is increased to 50 percent.