Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tension headaches, sleep apnea, a right ankle disability, and bronchitis have been dismissed as the benefits sought on appeal were granted in full.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased ratings for Raynaud's syndrome due to a lack of verified in-service stressor events, insufficient medical evidence linking current conditions to service, and failure to meet all criteria for a VA examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically insomnia disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, is rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobia, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for the condition prior to February 7, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service connection claims and exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record. The Board will seek a clarification from a medical examiner regarding whether these conditions began during or were caused by his active naval service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including OSA, a left hand condition, an acquired psychiatric disability, and right and left shoulder conditions. The issues related to these conditions are no longer before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and to obtain Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's anxiety and bipolar disorder are being considered, but service connection is not granted as it does not meet the criteria of direct service connection.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with the Veteran having a current diagnosis and in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is granted from August 31, 2012. The issue of TDIU due to the psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot. Service connection for COPD and heart disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) is granted as service connected. The claim for TDIU prior to September 14, 2022, is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current mental health symptoms are not related to his in-service experiences or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are not service connected as they existed prior to service. The recurrent sinus disability and psychiatric disability were not shown during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), was denied. Additionally, his claims for increased ratings for upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder is granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The symptoms include reduced reliability and productivity in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and schizoaffective disorder. Additional clarification is needed on whether these conditions existed prior to or during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied a rating in excess of this due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to verify claimed stressors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.