Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as anxiety and PTSD, and for an earlier effective date for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and cardiac disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service exposures.,The Veteran's left foot disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, and mood swings) were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no final decision could be made on the merits of the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, finding that there is not a current diagnosis of PTSD and no link between his symptoms and service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as generalized anxiety disorder). The Veteran's current right knee disability is not shown to be related to service, while his acquired psychiatric disorder was not found to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for restoration of a 100 percent rating for prostate cancer and TDIU prior to September 23, 2014, as well as service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of appeal after the Appellant withdrew her claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are granted. The diagnoses were based on a corroborated in-service stressor.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot pain, back disability, hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and neurobehavioral effects related to chemical exposure. The claims for insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, right knee condition, left knee condition, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and alcohol abuse are remanded due to the need for further examination and evidence collection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. Specifically, VA treatment records and private treatment records from Ministry Medical Group must be obtained, as well as new examinations for his anxiety disorder, hearing loss, and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the AOJ not having reviewed additional evidence submitted after a December 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is caused by his service-connected lumbar strain.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, was incurred in, or caused by, his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its decision regarding a higher rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and PTSD. The Court found that the Board's October 2019 findings were conclusory in the absence of adequate foundation, citing Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorder and TBI residuals, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability records. The Veteran may also be scheduled for a neuropsychological examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a chest pain condition, left knee disability (including as secondary to right knee disability), acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and COPD due to additional VA medical records being added to the claims file.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and lack of medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various psychiatric conditions, bulimia, PVC, costochondritis, and UTI/childbirth complications.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that his current condition is related to his military service.