Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, PTSD, left lower extremity disability, and right lower extremity disability due to a procedural error in providing notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, and PTSD, is related to Agent Orange exposure while serving in Thailand. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea are dismissed.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his psychiatric condition has been granted at a 70 percent level, effective from the date of filing. His other service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for increased ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities (anxiety disorder, right knee osteoarthritis, etc.) preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for neck disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left knee disability, depression, anxiety, stomach disability, and residuals of mefloquine toxicity due to a duty-to-assist error. The effective date claim for scar of the right breast is denied as there was no intent to file a claim prior to February 15, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, due to a duty-to-assist error in not affording the Veteran a VA examination. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran's current anxiety and depression are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD were dismissed. A November 30, 2020 effective date was granted for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks is rated at an initial 70 percent since August 31, 2020. The condition was found to warrant this rating based on severe anxiety and suicidal ideation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with unspecified obsessive-compulsive and related disorder, insomnia, and depression. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis for any of these conditions.,The VA examiner stated that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is granted.,Service connection for GERD, coronary artery disease, and a condition manifested by chronic nosebleeds is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent initial rating, effective June 22, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent initial rating, effective June 22, 2022.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, high blood pressure, a headache disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the January 2021 VA opinion, which did not address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed service or was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to alcohol use disorder, finding that there was not enough evidence linking a service-connected disability to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety are related to his military service. The claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the previous denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and anxiety, was due to a pre-decisional error. The claim is being remanded for further review.