Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral retinitis pigmentosa and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder. The decision is based on insufficient information regarding the nature of these conditions during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder are granted. However, the claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss is remanded due to lack of current audiological findings.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in September 2022 is inadequate and remanded for further action. The Veteran's claim of an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected adjustment disorder with acute anxiety is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety was denied, as the evidence did not show a link between his current condition and active service. His claim for TDIU was also denied due to lack of preclusion from substantially gainful employment solely due to his right thumb disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder, is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of any such condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) is granted service connection. Residuals of a concussion and bilateral pes planus are denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and memory loss conditions, finding no evidence of such disorders in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to non-service-connected factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to his failure to report to scheduled VA examinations, and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and in-service exposures.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically SSA disability benefits application records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, consisting of persistent depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder with opioid use in sustained remission, has been granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating for the entire increased rating period from November 30, 2017.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 1, 2007 to January 10, 2012 for the purposes of accrued benefits. The claim for TDIU prior to August 30, 2005 on an extraschedular basis was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and reasoning regarding whether the Veteran's anxiety disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral congenital pes planus with bilateral metatarsalgia is dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to his service-connected hip, knee, and ankle conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is related to sexual assault in service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a rating in excess of 50 percent, finding no evidence indicating that the Veteran filed a claim prior to January 27, 2012. The Board also found insufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating based on the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder has been reopened and granted. However, the total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities is denied.