Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for anxiety, cleithrophobia, and depression. The claim for service connection for heart murmur is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with anxiety and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, is etiologically related to his active service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergies, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, and a rash in the groin area. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence after the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression with PTSD, foot pain (plantar fasciitis), and back condition are all granted. The claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 23, 2020 is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, shin, hip or pelvis disabilities and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for low back disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, was incurred in service and the Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran. A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, insomnia, and generalized anxiety disorder, are related to his active service. The MST he experienced prior to entering the Air Force Academy is considered a contributing factor in the development of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other psychiatric conditions have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating. He is also eligible for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist and incomplete evidence. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is based on a stressor event during INACDUTRA, but the exact dates of this service are unclear. For the knee/low leg disabilities, the VA opinions found no relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder was granted effective from April 15, 2020. The decision also grants an initial 50% disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) based on the Veteran's in-service stressors as a flight paramedic and first responder. The evidence is at least in approximate balance that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder (including anxiety) and PTSD due to a pre-decisional error in failing to provide a VA examination. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for anxiety, depression, and Meniere's disease have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, and PTSD was dismissed as there were no underlying VA decisions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically a lack of a psychiatric examination. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain her private treatment records and any outstanding VA treatment records. A new psychiatric examination must be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted TDIU from January 31, 2019. However, the issue of TDIU prior to that date is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, left foot disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, herpes, cervical spine disability (secondary to PTSD), right and left hip pain, and hypertension. The only condition granted was an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety and other stressor related disorder).