Anxiety decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the divorce during service was not related to the current diagnosed anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotions and conduct, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further examination and clarification are needed regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 1, 2016, for the increased rating of 50 percent for persistent depressive disorder (previously rated as anxiety disorder) was dismissed as moot.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected mental health disability was granted to 100 percent effective from August 21, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and generalized anxiety disorder were both granted. However, the initial rating for generalized anxiety disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service. The Veteran asserts that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his active duty, including stressors from Basic Training.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, are found to be directly related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD, which encompasses insomnia and anxiety, is granted with an effective date of September 4, 2013.

The Board has denied service connection for a sleep disorder, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability will be considered on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce her rating for bipolar I disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder from 100% to 70% was dismissed because she withdrew the appeal before a hearing could be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding periods of active duty training and inactive duty training in the Utah National Guard. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending until this information is obtained.

The Board dismissed the service connection claim for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) because the Veteran's appeal was invalid due to a form error, and he had already filed a valid higher-level review request.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 1, 2016 for the service connection of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, linear scar from hernia surgery, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, migraine headaches, epididymitis, and residual scar from hernia operation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, OCD, anxiety, and schizoaffective disorder. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses of these conditions and established a causal link to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety disorder. The evidence submitted since the final denial shows a current diagnosis and links it to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's disability rating for anxiety disorder with traumatic brain injury was reduced from 50 percent to 0 percent, effective September 1, 2019 due to his failure to report for a necessary VA examination.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining employment information from the Veteran's employers and reviewing his Community Care Program records. The case will be readjudicated after any further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as some of the disability evaluations.

The Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and cocaine use disorder. The effective date remains March 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for a VA examination.