Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has found that there are outstanding VA treatment records and pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding the Veteran's tinnitus claim. The claims for service connection for COPD, OSA, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a low back condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip stress fracture, service connection for low back strain, an anxiety condition, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the VA examination in December 2023 was inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was denied. The issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to a duty-to-assist error and requires further examination for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST), including PTSD, is remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and CFS were evaluated, with the Board finding that a higher rating was not warranted for either condition. The case was remanded for further evaluation of sleep apnea, ED, and CFS.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer, but remanded the issues of secondary service connection for depression, anxiety and insomnia; hypertension; enlarged prostate; and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 31, 2012 for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder. However, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains pending and requires further examination to determine his current disability level.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 30, 2011 for the award of service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder with depressive symptoms secondary to multiple sclerosis. The issue of increased rating for insomnia and memory impairment prior to January 16, 2019 is also addressed.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in June 2021 were inadequate for adjudication purposes and thus remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer, but remanded the issues of secondary service connection for depression, anxiety and insomnia; hypertension; enlarged prostate; and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2020 VA examination. A new medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information about the Veteran's service dates and inconsistencies in his medical records. The VA examiner will need to provide an updated opinion on whether any acquired psychiatric disability, including persistent depressive disorder, had its onset in and/or is etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, unspecified anxiety disorder, right and left cubital tunnel syndrome, and chronic right wrist sprain. The Board has determined that the claims are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence in the record regarding her cervical spine disability.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability, which is currently under review.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, and his unspecified anxiety disorder prior to August 4, 2021, is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted but the SMC claim for housebound status was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that her service-connected conditions did not prevent her from securing and following gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional errors and insufficient medical opinions, requiring further development of the record.