Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety, depression, and insomnia was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election. The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her request to continue the appeal regarding a higher rating for her psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent or higher for his psychiatric disability, including moderate alcohol use disorder, has been withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted as service-connected. The claims for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for GAD and a TDIU claim due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Specifically, the AOJ is required to attempt to obtain private mental health treatment records from non-VA providers.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's file must be reviewed, and she should be scheduled for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective July 12, 2018. His bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbosacral strain due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the VA did not provide adequate opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and thus remands these issues for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood with panic disorder, without agoraphobia began during her military service and has continued since then. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks started in service after a reported MST incident.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, but her claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an addendum VA opinion to address whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability was superimposed on a personality disorder assessed during active service and resulted in additional disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, anxiety/nervousness, sleep disturbances and insomnia, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and schizoaffective disorder, are related to her service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as the Veteran was not diagnosed with PTSD based on DSM-5 criteria. The appeal for an increased rating for Chronic Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood is dismissed as moot due to a prior restoration of the evaluation.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of the Veteran's psychiatric disability is dismissed. The Veteran's initial disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability is granted at a 70 percent level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service personal assault leading to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain service treatment records and personnel records regarding the Veteran's periods of Active Duty Reserve (ACDUTRA) and Indirect Training and Related Activities (INACDUTRA). The claim for PTSD remains denied, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is now pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood requires the need for regular aid and attendance, which could potentially qualify him for special monthly compensation (SMC).