Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction and the effective date earlier than January 4, 2016 for the award of a TDIU.

The Veteran's spouse has not been in need of regular aid and attendance due to her significant physical and mental health conditions, but she can still perform basic activities such as dressing and feeding herself. The Board found that the evidence does not establish a need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional information and records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, is now pending again with the VA.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted, with a 40% rating effective from December 23, 2010. The TDIU claim is also remanded.,A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from December 23, 2011.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD was incurred during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left elbow internal derangement status post internal fixation prior to August 7, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left elbow scar was also denied. However, the appellant's major depressive disorder with anxiety is granted a 50 percent rating, but not higher, prior to September 8, 2015, and denied a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence and because a decision on one claim could impact another. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and an adjustment disorder) and OSA, secondary to PTSD, are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his back condition and acquired psychiatric condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, schedule examinations if necessary, and provide an adequate opinion on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records from May 28, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than insomnia disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and thus no basis to grant service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current evidence of a disability and noting that his symptoms are more likely related to his alcohol use disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new credible testimony regarding military sexual trauma during service, which was not considered in the May 2015 VA examination. The claims of service connection for PTSD and chronic anxiety are reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records from Dr. M-Q and Dr. G.S., which are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's myxoid liposarcoma and its relationship to her secondary conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding records that need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and needs to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 100 percent effective November 25, 2019. The Board has determined that the effective date should be set at November 25, 2018.,Effective November 25, 2018, the Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of anxiety disorder is dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death and that the cause of death was not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression and anxiety may be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to confirm this.