Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety should be rated at a level higher than 50 percent prior to April 4, 2017. However, due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA), the case is being sent back for further review.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for neck disability, right shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety).

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether any current acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service or was aggravated by service. The Veteran's history of depressive symptoms since age 10, exacerbated by his military service in Thailand, must be considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current disability of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The issues of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches, lumbosacral and thoracic strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), and TDIU are remanded.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for gout is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received, the claims for service connection for right hip disability and left hip disability are reopened; to this extent only, the appeals are granted.,New and material evidence having been received, the claim for service connection for interstitial cystitis is reopened; to this extent only, the appeal is granted.,The appeals seeking entitlement to service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are remanded.

The Board has decided that the appellant is not eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2018 rating decision. The case is being remanded to issue an SOC.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the disability rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD. The AOJ must obtain a VA examination and medical opinion addressing the diagnoses in the outpatient records, including major depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or secondary to his service-connected umbilical hernia scar.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as a claim for TDIU due to CFS. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new evidence and possibly another examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining terminal medical records and seeking a medical nexus opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver condition and an acquired psychiatric disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the pending appeals in the AMA system. The AOJ must defer adjudication of the TDIU claim until all related appeals are resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified anxiety disorder, PTSD, unspecified insomnia disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder) on a direct basis. The Veteran's mental health disability is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inconsistencies in his self-report of mental health issues and stressors. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure of duty to assist, requiring further development including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, back condition, and bilateral ankle conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.