Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depression, unspecified depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, is granted as service connected due to its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, and service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and muscle pain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound and aid and attendance has been denied as she does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and a headache disorder as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder, combined with his left hand ring finger contracture, renders him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for insomnia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression disorders), and PTSD due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service records and treatment records received after July 2022 need to be considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to adjudicate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms have been variously assessed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. There is a history of in-service stressors that may be associated with his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination should be scheduled to address the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is found to be causally related to his service, including deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan where he experienced indirect fire and witnessed death. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back epidermal inclusion cyst, allergic rhinitis, and psychiatric disability (depression, stress, anxiety, and homicidal ideation) have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, allergies, a right leg disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, hair loss, sleep apnea, and low back and neck disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety condition as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, and the Veteran's belief in having such a condition was not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's mental health disorder was granted a 100% disability rating effective July 8, 2020. The appeal is for an increased rating.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disabilities, allergic rhinitis, kidney disability, ED, GERD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, shoulder disabilities, liver disability, and lung disability. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim for erectile dysfunction/impotence is denied as the new evidence does not relate to this specific issue, while the psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities is granted from October 1, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for depression and anxiety disorder, sciatica, left hip condition, and right hip condition due to incomplete records and insufficient evidence of record. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain relevant service treatment records and VA examinations are required to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric condition, fatigue, headaches, heart stent, and rashes on the feet, face, and arms are being remanded due to procedural errors in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC is not clear and does not provide adequate reasons or bases. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tension headache, left shoulder labral tear, wrist tendinitis, fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, TMJ capsulitis, dry eye syndrome, allergic rhinitis, scars, and psoriasis are considered. The Board has ordered remand to clarify the reason for denial and provide proper notice.