Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his request to withdraw the entirety of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorders, is related to his military service. The claim for PTSD was previously remanded but no diagnosis of PTSD could be established.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability is remanded due to the possibility of an increase in severity. Additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined schedular evaluation did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and the need for updated VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with other specific trauma and stressor related disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent from April 1, 2017. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating effective November 21, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia disorder, mild neurocognitive disorder, and traumatic brain injury are rated at 70 percent prior to February 26, 2021, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Headaches are rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn, leaving the issues of left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability to be decided.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability was reopened based on new evidence showing a connection to service. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability was granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss, service connection for psychiatric and cognitive disabilities secondary to hearing loss, and TDIU due to his hearing impairment. The claims are being remanded because new examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's disability and opinions are required regarding whether his psychiatric and cognitive issues are related to his hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the issues of earlier effective dates for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Dependents' Educational Assistance before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dementia, unspecified anxiety disorder, kidney condition, chronic fatigue (also claimed as sleep disorder), migraines, bilateral vision loss, and allergies have been denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, an acquired respiratory condition, and diabetes mellitus type II due to potential service connection based on in-service exposure. The Veteran's reported incidents aboard USS Hornet are to be verified, a VA examination is needed for his respiratory condition, and a VA medical opinion is required regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and verifying in-service stressors.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling for the period prior to December 17, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran is requested to provide additional evidence and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and GAD, which are believed to be related to military sexual trauma. The VA is instructed to obtain treatment records from Fort Huachuca and provide a supplemental opinion on the diagnoses.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder rating is being remanded due to the age of her last VA examination and potential worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease prior to June 1, 2022, and a 30 percent disability rating thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, are being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder, is granted with an effective date of October 3, 2008. The issue of TDIU prior to April 22, 2022, remains pending.