Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma, was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement. The claim for tinnitus was granted. The claims for thyroid disability and migraine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 20, 2013, for the grant of service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder was denied. The Veteran also had his initial evaluation for anxiety disorder denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds this rating insufficient to grant a higher initial rating. The evidence does not support total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder, has been dismissed as the appeal is based on a full award of benefits in April 2022.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate her service connection and rating issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted at a 50 percent disability rating. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent is denied, as the evidence does not show that his condition meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating. TDIU from January 3, 2014 to May 20, 2016 and SMC at the housebound rate from January 3, 2014 to February 1, 2020 are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. The Veteran's lay statements and a private examination are considered in forming an opinion on whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder and anxiety. The Veteran's TBI is found to have aggravated his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 2, 2019. Effective August 2, 2019, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including his major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The issues will be further developed with additional development of the record and a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as panic disorder, major depressive disorder, and somatic symptom disorder) is caused by her service-connected disabilities. The Board granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and anxiety disorder/ depression as secondary to his service-connected insomnia. The VA examiners found no causative link between the service-connected insomnia and the Veteran's CAD with history of heart attack.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete private treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The Board finds that current VA treatment records are necessary to support or refute the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his military service, specifically an explosion at Fort Dix in 1983.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of anxiety disorder, migraine disability, and left ankle disability, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and attempt to verify the Veteran's stressors. A VA examination must be conducted to determine if her conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder was denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being received.