Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, and general anxiety disorder) has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to January 14, 2020, due to service-connected disabilities has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The issues include psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, non-epilepsy seizures, and a respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess his psychiatric disorder and determining whether he experienced an in-service stressor related to preparing for possible war with Russia. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee meniscal repair, lumbar strain, and partial paralysis of the right sciatic nerve are also remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from January 27, 2016. The Veteran's TBI residuals are granted a 40 percent rating, also effective from January 27, 2016.

The Veteran seeks a rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, but the RO has not considered all relevant evidence since the most recent SSOC was issued.,The Veteran also seeks a rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, and again, the RO has not considered all relevant evidence since the most recent SSOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating on individual employability prior to March 24, 2017, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, and additional evidence needs to be considered.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent effective September 25, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, specifically requesting an addendum opinion from a psychologist regarding whether the Appellant's misconduct in service was due to disease related to his TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, sleep disturbance (separate from service-connected anxiety disorder), and right first metatarsal arthritis status post fracture due to incomplete evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and insufficient addendum opinions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety is rated at 50 percent from October 5, 2016 to November 8, 2022. The rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted but not in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinions and new evidence raised by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being evaluated, and an opinion on its etiology in relation to service is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as secondary to a service-connected lesion upper left retromolar pad. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues related to his psychiatric disabilities, asthma, bilateral eye disability, heart disability, headaches, and insomnia. The claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety, is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. His left knee scar is granted a 10 percent evaluation for being painful or unstable. The right knee disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder are related to an in-service sexual assault, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, and a temporary total disability rating based on hospitalization for an acquired psychiatric condition. The case is remanded to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's IBS and TDIU.