Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, a compensable disability rating for hypertension, and increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, is related to service and granted. Service connection for bilateral Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected specific phobia/phobia of snakes with anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was also denied TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain a VA examination, and now requires additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service stressors and a private medical opinion linking his current conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, left ear disability, back pain, neck pain, left arm disability, right arm disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The issues have been remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea are granted. The Board has determined that new evidence received since the final February 2015 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, but both issues must be remanded due to lack of updated medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to his service. The claim will be further evaluated after the examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim to connect PTSD, depression, and anxiety to service has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression, should be remanded due to incomplete stressor verification and issues with the January 2023 VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is denied, but service connection for Chronic Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as depression and anxiety), left knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 29, 2017.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted a 50 percent rating, but denied any rating in excess of that. The Veteran also receives a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not make him unable to perform daily functions or require regular assistance.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its remand directives and thus requires another remand for a substantially compliant addendum.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination, including consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining private treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being evaluated to determine their onset and relationship to service.

The Board dismissed all 34 issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims, except for the service connection for irritable bowel syndrome which was not appealed.