Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 4, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD based on new and relevant evidence received within a year of the April 2012 denial.

The claims for initial ratings and TDIU for service-connected anxiety disorder with depression are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a retrospective medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's symptomatology throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's initial rating for a psychiatric disability, including insomnia, anxiety, and PTSD, is granted at 30 percent prior to July 22, 2016. A higher rating of more than 50 percent is denied as of July 22, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, finding that there was no credible evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding notification of scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, to include arthritis. The remaining issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left shoulder strain, and psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed features of depression and anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent prior to December 18, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, particularly those from the Veteran's incarceration and a psychiatric hospitalization in August 2015. The Veteran is asked to provide releases for these records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, needs to be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and anxiety disorder may have worsened, and a remand is needed to determine the current severity of her conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its interrelatedness with the increased rating claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a bad conduct discharge, finding that his entire period of active service is a bar to VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not rise to the level needed for such benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to exposure to herbicide agent (PACT Act), but denied the claims for acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea. The effective date is not specified.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim for HIV. The claims of service connection for neck, low back, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities have been remanded due to new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The decision finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder caused physical or mental limitations preventing her from performing the activities required to secure or follow substantially gainful employment effective August 3, 2020, but not earlier.

The Veteran's appeals seeking higher ratings for TBI, adjustment disorder, and headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressor and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, MDD, and anxiety, which he claims are related to witnessing a shooting incident during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.