Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for anxiety (also claimed as depression), back pain, bone fracture (also claimed as joint pain) on the right foot, chest pain, sleep disturbances, and major depressive disorder (depression).

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors related to the development of the Veteran's PTSD claim, including obtaining VA medical examination and opinion for PTSD regarding whether there was a link between the Veteran's current symptoms and his in-service ankle injury.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 26, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and chronic cardiovascular disease as secondary to hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety disorder and depression disorder, finding that there was no current disability to support the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety and PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The evidence submitted since the August 2021 rating decision is considered redundant and does not provide new or relevant information to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder unspecified with panic attacks, finding a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), a stomach disorder (to include GERD), a leg disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, a right hip/thigh disorder, a left hip/thigh disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder for further development.,The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and anxiety resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic back pain, depression, left knee pain, right knee pain, anxiety, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis proximate to the filing of the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for various disability ratings as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is November 2019 and not April 2020, as the April 2020 rating decision did not adjudicate the DIC claim. The AOJ must now make a finding regarding whether the Appellant is considered the surviving child of the Veteran and provide complete notice of the decision under 38 U.S.C. § 5104. A VA examination should be afforded to the Appellant to determine if the cause of death is related to service or toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to provide personal assault notification letter, which could affect service connection for psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder). The decision is pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the claim had been fully addressed in a previous rating decision, and no new evidence or issues were presented.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and secondary service connection are being remanded due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA was not incurred during or related to his active-duty service and denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder are remanded due to a failure to obtain VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for narcolepsy and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and failing to provide a VA examination. The Veteran is required to have these issues addressed before further action can be taken.