Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status, which were previously denied. The Board has dismissed these claims as the Veteran requested withdrawal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions like depression, psychosis, anxiety, and PTSD. The evidence did not show a current disability related to service or any in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and panic/anxiety disorder), a low back disability, a left knee disability, a left shoulder/arm disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders prior to July 25, 2012. The severity, frequency, and duration of his psychiatric symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with its March 2022 remand order, requiring an addendum opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus, as it is determined that his chronic sleep impairment (a symptom of his service-connected mental health disability) contributed to his obesity and thus caused his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability was denied. However, the Board granted entitlement to TDIU beginning April 23, 2015. The claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic headaches and residuals of traumatic brain injury were remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Service connection for dry eye syndrome and anxiety and depression, both secondary to service-connected sinusitis, were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper notice for a VA examination, and the need to verify the Veteran's current contact information.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequacies in the VA examinations and other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is granted a 50 percent disability rating from June 3, 2015 to October 6, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol disorder is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new examination.

The Board denied a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 6, 2010. The evidence did not show that the Veteran's major depressive disorder with sleep disorder and anxiety attacks rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician to determine if the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and evaluation, including obtaining relevant medical records and determining whether service connection can be established for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of unspecified anxiety disorder with insomnia is denied. The case is remanded for further examinations related to left shoulder numbness and tingling, as well as increased ratings for unspecified anxiety disorder with insomnia and right temporomandibular joint disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, bladder cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, insomnia, anxiety) are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam or Alaska.