Anxiety decisions — 2024

Service connection for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD is granted.,Service connection for insomnia as secondary to service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders is granted.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder was granted in a September 2023 rating decision.,Service connection for hypertension has been established due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's skin condition and hepatitis C are both remanded for further development as the Board requires additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's service connection claims for a skin condition and hepatitis C remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and the Veteran's unavailability for a VA examination. The case will be further evaluated with updated contact information, an alternative opinion using the ACE method, and another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following reasons: obtaining potentially relevant private treatment records, clarifying any SSA claim, and obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether his fibromyalgia is aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial increased rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and TDIU prior to February 3, 2020 due to additional evidence added after the April 2020 SOC. The AOJ must consider this new evidence in their readjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and acquired psychological conditions to include depression, anxiety, and PTSD due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection on a secondary basis. The claims are remanded to obtain updated medical opinions addressing both causation and aggravation of these conditions by toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to depressive disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, PTSD, a left leg scar, a head scar, and anxiety disorder. The remand is due to the loss of hearing transcripts and failure to provide notice regarding SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence after the SOC was issued. The claims for increased ratings will be reconsidered and a new SSOC will be provided.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of eczema is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for a vestibular disorder secondary to sinusitis and stress urinary incontinence.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression/anxiety) and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, but both issues are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection and is rated at the minimum level (10%).,An initial rating of 30% for PTSD with other specified anxiety disorder has been granted, subject to criteria governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The petition to reopen the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders is granted. The appeal is allowed to that extent only, and the issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow disability and denied increased ratings for generalized anxiety disorder with adjustment disorder, depressed mood, and obsessive compulsive disorder prior to January 17, 2019. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not found to be related to his active service.,For the period prior to January 17, 2019, the Board denied an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder with adjustment disorder, depressed mood, and obsessive compulsive disorder as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with previous remand directives and thus requires another remand for further development. The Veteran's service records show he was treated for anxiety and depression during his service, but the VA examiner found insufficient evidence to support a nexus between current psychiatric disorders and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper notice and scheduling for an examination, as well as incomplete medical records. The Veteran's daughter (S.R.) is seeking recognition as a 'helpless child' based on her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18.

The Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service and is granted.,The Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder related to his in-service stressor. A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol abuse, coronary artery disease, and anxiety disorder. The VA examiners found that these conditions were not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including cocaine abuse disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, depression, and anxiety, as well as those conditions secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability. The evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's skin condition is presumed to be related to her Gulf War service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety, as there is no current diagnosis of a mental disorder that meets DSM-5 criteria.