Anxiety decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression has been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's anxiety and/or depression to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has expressed the desire to withdraw his current appeal and refile at a later date.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his reported stressors and updated medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial rating for anxiety disorder has been increased to 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The claim for TDIU remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to her military service.,Service connection has also been granted for tinnitus, with the Board concluding that there is a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted, subject to the law and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and PTSD were dismissed as the claims have been resolved by full grant of benefits.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, previously claimed as PTSD, was also dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and anxiety disorders. The decision is based on evidence that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and his symptoms are attributed to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The claim for anxiety and panic attacks is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and initial increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss due to further development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as well as TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, as a manifestation of his service-connected multiple sclerosis, is granted an increased rating to 70 percent. Separate compensable ratings are assigned for sleep disturbance and right arm sensory changes as manifestations of the service-connected multiple sclerosis. The Veteran also receives special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete private medical records, which may affect the determination of his service-connected anxiety disorder and TDIU claims prior to February 7, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% effective September 13, 2017. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and he is now receiving a 70 percent rating for his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 18, 2020 for service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (claimed as personality disorder) is denied. The claim for a TDIU prior to November 18, 2020 is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 19, 2020 for service connection of an unspecified anxiety disorder as it was not factually ascertainable that he had such a condition prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service personnel records and incomplete service treatment records, as well as an inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the decision-making process and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including alcohol use disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his generalized anxiety disorder and frostbite residuals in both hands and feet, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the period on appeal. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.