Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depressed mood.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete medical opinion, requiring a new examination and evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records. The right elbow disability claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding its etiology. The psychiatric disorder claim requires readjudication in light of new relevant VA-generated evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities (PTSD, major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety state) and neurocognitive disorder (Alzheimer's dementia), finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's in-service stressors. The appeal for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and whether they are sufficient for service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, but the Board found that there was not enough evidence linking his claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be related to his service or any incident therein.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is caused by or related to in-service marital issues.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70% effective February 4, 2013. The rating for hepatitis C remains at 100%, effective September 8, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, as these conditions may be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder to include mood disorder and anxiety has been granted a disability rating of 100 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in both conditions, and the Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further examination regarding the appellant's mental health at the time of his discharge, as well as the character of his discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric including PTSD and/or unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a stressor related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety, and depression are rated at 70 percent from May 2, 2016. The issue of TDIU prior to March 6, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development. The case of service connection for a cervical spine disability remains on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted. The Veteran also has a rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease beginning October 23, 2020.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for both the low back disorder and psychiatric disorders are inadequate to decide the claims. The Veteran's service records show a history of in-service back problems, and he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression during his active duty. A new examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and missed opportunities for examination. The Veteran's anxiety disorder and bilateral flat foot ratings are being reviewed with new medical evaluations and consideration of additional VA treatment notes.

The claims for right shoulder, right knee, and back disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The claim for bladder incontinence disability is being remanded as it does not involve service connection.