Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities due to new evidence provided by the Veteran during her hearings, and because of the need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety, depression, and nervousness has been reopened. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with obtaining and reviewing medical records, as well as needing a VA examination. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder, is granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to March 12, 2020. A higher rating in excess of 50 percent for the period beginning March 12, 2020, is denied.

The appeals for increased disability rating and service connection were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disability. The psychiatric disability claims are remanded as there is insufficient information regarding the relationship between the service-connected tinnitus and the diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than somatic symptoms disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety due to lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence linking current diagnoses to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for generalized anxiety disorder, hemorrhoids, residuals of a head injury, migraines, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left hand disability, PTSD, sleep apnea, jaw disability, and chest pain. The remaining issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features resulted in a 70 percent rating prior to July 26, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, specifically an anxiety disorder, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal in writing, indicating satisfaction with the awarded benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person as he is unable to perform daily activities independently due to his physical impairments.

Service connection for varicose veins on the ankles is denied.,For the period prior to July 12, 2019, a disability rating of 70% for PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. From July 12, 2019 onwards, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as he has been employed since May 2016 and meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 30, 2022 and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter for other specified trauma or stressor disorder (PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of anxiety or depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, is granted. The claims for fatigue and skin condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as a back condition, are dismissed due to the grant of service connection for PTSD in March 2021. The Board finds that his symptoms of anxiety and depression are included in his diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with panic attacks, MDD and unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attacks, finding that it had its onset during service due to a personal assault.