Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders, based on the Veteran's in-service experiences and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective July 25, 2017. The other conditions have had their ratings adjusted or granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (anxiety and depression), and PTSD due to issues with verifying the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for anxiety disorder, service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and verification of in-service stressors. The claim has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an increased evaluation and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for her psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and other diagnosed conditions. The VA will need to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to her in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected.,His major depressive disorder is also granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. ,However, the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions regarding whether her pre-existing bilateral hallux valgus was aggravated by military service and for a new VA examination to determine if her acquired psychiatric disorder is related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety), headaches, a skin disability, and a gastrointestinal disability have been granted. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the skin disability claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining employment information from the United States Postal Service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for a VA opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar-type schizoaffective disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, are granted as service connected. An initial maximum schedular 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether any diagnosed conditions are related to service or verified stressors.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, generalized anxiety disorder, right knee instability, right shoulder disability, and left elbow disability have all been granted ratings.,Specifically, the Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks alone has rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, and he is granted TDIU. Effective February 28, 2022, the Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing the Veteran's lay statements about hearing and seeing things from Vietnam.

The Board has decided the case in favor of the Veteran, finding that a remand is necessary to provide an adequate examination and address the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed as the claim had been fully granted in a November 2023 rating decision. The appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss were remanded due to insufficient development.