Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for increased evaluations of his lower back disability, left knee disabilities, and surgical scars. The appeal was also remanded to consider a claim for service connection for a left foot disorder.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by current medical evidence showing a diagnosed condition related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI. The claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder prior to June 29, 2017; and in excess of 10 percent thereafter are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for his major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is caused by a service-connected disability, and the partial hysterectomy was due to service. The acquired psychiatric disorders other than depressive disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service. An additional VA examination is needed.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has additional mental disorders, and if those disorders are related to her period of active service. Additionally, a new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of her service-connected lumbar strain with status post discectomy of L5-S1 and L5 laminectomy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is proximately caused by VA care.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of verified in-service stressors and need for further examination regarding INACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent from June 23, 2022 to August 29, 2022. Service connection for deviated nasal septum and migraine headaches are also granted.

Service connection is granted for left hand arthritis and right hand arthritis.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, claimed as high blood pressure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include panic attacks and an anxiety disorder as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 24, 2010, for the grant of a 70 percent disability rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder) is granted. The Board finds that from August 24, 2010, it was factually ascertainable that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of March 14, 2016, for the grant of service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain and service connection for bruxism have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TMJ, residuals for a spinal injury other than lumbar, spinal bone spurring (secondary to lumbar strain and/or spinal injury), and a change in diagnosis/nomenclature from anxiety disorder NOS with insomnia to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status and/or aid and attendance. The remand is necessary because substantial compliance with the Board's directive has not occurred.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and because there is evidence that his psychiatric conditions may be related to service. The case will be reviewed again with an in-person or telehealth examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service despite conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination, and the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to assess whether his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, including the reasonably raised theory that it may be proximately due to the service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for anxiety disorder and prostate cancer, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are referred back to the AOJ for further evaluation.