Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an opinion to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records and the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric condition, asthma, and bilateral leg cramps. The issues are being returned to the Board for further development.

The Veteran's neck, eye, asthma, left ankle, and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further development.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep apnea due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and anxiety disorder have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since May 15, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relation to service. The issue will be reconsidered with a new medical examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety due to new evidence received. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination to determine if he has Parkinson's disease and whether his diagnosed neurobehavioral effects are related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The appeal will be reconsidered after this examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia, is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. Service connection for tinnitus remains at the maximum schedular rating of 10%. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher combined rating in excess of 90 percent, effective from July 19, 2017, is denied. The AOJ's December 2017 rating decision correctly calculated the combined total rating as 90 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression, respiratory disorder, and heart disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the regulatory requirements to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for psychiatric disability was denied prior to January 4, 2023. Effective January 4, 2023, the Veteran is granted a higher rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability and TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, due to conflicting opinions on direct service connection versus secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 6, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his history, education, skill, and previous work experience.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specific dates and increased ratings for tension headaches have been denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support earlier effective dates or higher ratings based on the criteria provided in Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the etiology of his mental health conditions and sleep issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and incomplete record. The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depression are being reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and alcohol use disorder.,Service connection was also granted for a low back disability (DJD) and left arm disabilities (AC joint DJD, shoulder tendonitis, C5 radiculopathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome).,Right carpal tunnel syndrome was also granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to her service-connected fibromyalgia, are being remanded due to the need for further development and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and a TDIU have been withdrawn. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and cannabis abuse disorder is being remanded due to the need for further VA psychiatric evaluation.