Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to a duty to assist error in the initial decision. The case will be reviewed again with new evidence and an appropriate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the Veteran is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of hernia surgery and denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder with depression has been granted. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU prior to January 7, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case for an adequate examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is to determine if these conditions are related to service or superimposed on a personality disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected major depression due to chronic pain with anxiety disorder warranted a 70 percent disability rating as of October 11, 2016. The effective date for this increased rating is set at October 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to a lack of a current diagnosis for PTSD and an inadequate VA examination. The case will be reconsidered with a new VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, chronic, is granted as service-connected. Bilateral hearing loss and residuals of jaw fracture are denied. Hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for information about the qualifications of a March 2016 VA examiner. The appellant's representative requested this information in order to determine if the examiner was qualified to provide an opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension due to insufficient evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms, as well as inadequate development of the record. The Veteran is entitled to VA examinations to confirm her diagnoses and determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for anemia was denied, while the claims for anxiety disorder, right knee osteoarthritis, and GERD resulted in a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are related to in-service stressors, leading to service connection for these conditions. Service connection is also granted for urinary dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding these issues due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination and evaluation are needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and unverified stressor claims. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private treatment records, obtain Social Security Administration records, and undergo a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including other specified anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, chronic right shoulder (dominant), intercostal strain, mid thoracic muscular strain, muscle injury (left muscles of respiration), muscle injury (muscles of left side and back of the neck), and muscle injury (thoracic spinal muscles).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and issues related to service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST). The Veteran's correct contact information needs to be verified, and a VA examination is required to determine if an in-service stressor event occurred and whether the Veteran currently has PTSD as a result of such event.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the November 2018 VA examination and opinion, requiring a new examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is insufficient evidence to support an extraschedular TDIU prior to September 21, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition. The claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and psychiatric examination.