Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that the additional evidentiary development directed in previous remands for service connection claims and TDIU has not been completed. Therefore, another remand is necessary to substantially comply with the Board's directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for MDD with GAD prior to November 6, 2019 and for an increased rating greater than 70 percent for MDD with GAD from that date. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a comprehensive psycho-medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current psychological symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified anxiety disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements regarding his in-service experiences and their impact on his current condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The case is now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety (acquired psychiatric disorder) is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to a level warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of alcoholism was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30% for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder unspecified was granted with a 70% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other current psychiatric condition related to service. The Veteran’s current diagnoses were attributed to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and undiagnosed Gulf War illness. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) but not for hypertension, stroke residuals, OSA, or headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as a nervous condition, depression, and anxiety is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a disability claimed as sleep and dream disturbance is reopened. The issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, right ear hearing loss, and lumbar strain myositis, central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/L5 are remanded. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorder (claimed as panic anxiety attacks), and fibromyalgia due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for GAD and persistent depressive disorder due to conflicting medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are currently diagnosed, but the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities needs further clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder with depressive features is remanded for a VA examination to determine its severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased evaluation claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Other Specified Anxiety Disorder is denied. The Board finds that the effective date should be April 6, 2016 as this was the date of receipt of his reopened claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic right hip adductor and flexor muscle myofascial strain. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to consider all of the Veteran’s mental health treatment records and provide a new opinion on whether his current PTSD is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and herpes due to unclear medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to July 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, cardiac murmur, and hypertension has been denied. The Board has found that there is no evidence to support these claims.,Regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include chronic anxiety and PTSD), the Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.