Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability from January 31, 2018 to December 8, 2020 was denied. The claim for TDIU prior to September 1, 2018 was also denied. However, the Veteran's claim for a TDIU effective September 1, 2018 was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the VA-obtained medical opinions and the need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's anxiety disorder.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, MDD, and Memory Disorder. The remand requires obtaining additional VA and private medical records and providing a comprehensive medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a mental condition, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression/anxiety and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression/anxiety, has been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions. However, the right ankle condition was denied as not incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if her conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and sleep problems. The decision finds that her symptoms are related to her active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for a stand-alone rating for sleep disturbance as secondary to chronic pain from service-connected knee and back disabilities, rather than as a symptom of service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but denied some, resulting in a mixed disposition. The Veteran's new evidence relates to the unestablished facts necessary for reopening these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety. The decision is based on the appellant's reported in-service stressors that are consistent with his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, anxiety disorder, and TBI. The claims for increased ratings and effective dates are also being reconsidered.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. His PTSD with anxiety disorder remains at a 70% rating, and he is granted TDIU as of April 21, 2012. The ratings for his lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities remain remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, were not found to have begun during service or be related to any in-service events. The Board concluded that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and needs further examination regarding service connection for psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions had their onset during service.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depression and anxiety) has been granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (IBS with constipation) is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and related conditions (anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances) is granted.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection for various psychiatric conditions and the reopening of a claim for residuals of right eye injury due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's anxiety symptoms have been present since his service in Vietnam, and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.