Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding dry eye syndrome. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits during his military service is noted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorders with PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for clarification regarding the etiology of any diagnosed PTSD.

Your service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted, and you are now receiving a 30% rating. The decision is final as the issue is no longer in appellate status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic cardiomyopathy s/p myocardial infarction, unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, right elbow osteoarthritis, right elbow limitation of supination, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 29, 2023. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim for this period.

The Veteran's representative requested an extension of a time limit associated with a required action based on the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Board found good cause for the delay in filing a response to VA's adverse action. The effective date for the grant of service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder is set at June 12, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's qualifying periods of service and an inadequate VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered with proper documentation of service and a new examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied due to the lack of characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent of his entire body or exposed areas.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), depression, and anxiety are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically failing to reschedule the Veteran's VA examination for his anxiety condition. The claim is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and right knee scars was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as they were consistent with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the examination and medical opinion provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for unspecified anxiety disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. His GERD is also rated at 30 percent, reflecting symptoms of persistent distress and requiring daily medications to control dysphagia.

The Veteran's headache disability is characterized by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months, and he has been granted a 30 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to procedural issues, including failure to timely file a VA Form 10182 or provide good cause for the delay.

The Board has denied service connection for agoraphobia and anxiety as the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) has also been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) secondary to her service-connected fibroids, status post dilation and curettage (D & C), total and complete hysterectomy. The evidence did not support a finding that GAD was caused or aggravated by her service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder secondary to his service-connected left knee strain was granted with an effective date of October 18, 2017.