Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, left ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, lower back condition, and headaches is denied as there are no new or material evidence to reopen the claims. The current rating for PTSD already covers her anxiety and depression symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to in-service events or conditions. The examiner must also determine if any diagnosed condition preexisted service and was aggravated by hypertension.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD due to a verified in-service stressor. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the condition had its onset during service or is otherwise etiologically related.

The Board denied service connection for diverticulitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder with depression disorder and unspecified dementia.,There is no current diagnosis of diverticulitis. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder with depression disorder and unspecified dementia, is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, and schizoaffective disorder, depressive type due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of his psychiatric conditions during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for anxiety and depression due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims for GI disability, anxiety, and depression are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, chronic back pain, hypertension, hepatitis C, renal disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) due to outstanding medical records and in-service stressor verification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, effective dates, and TDIU due to additional submitted evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral foot disorders, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant post-service treatment records and schedule a VA examination to determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 criteria and insufficient evidence linking the adjustment disorder to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, are due to his in-service combat exposures. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the record. The Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder prior to December 21, 2018 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. However, the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment sufficient to warrant a higher rating, and that the Veteran had not provided necessary information to support her claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, to include the residuals of a collapsed lung. The Veteran was not found to have any current respiratory disability that is related to her active military service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for blood clots. There is no evidence in the record showing that she has had a blood clot-related disability during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and his claimed alcohol abuse and cocaine dependence disorders. The case is now on hold for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging an addendum opinion from a suitable examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and GAD, due to combat exposure during military service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to his in-service stressors.