Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9440.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxiety due to potential service connection issues.,The VA examination was inadequate in addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression and anxiety was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the disability is already at its maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, is denied due to lack of a diagnosed current disability conforming to the DSM-5 criteria.,Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied as the condition is less likely than not related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of an examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is required to provide these examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a psychiatric disorder due to failure to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are inseparable from the Veteran's already service-connected PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board requires additional development to address the in-service stressor allegations and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was caused by weight gain from the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and musculoskeletal disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with anxious and depressed mood, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by in-service events. Service connection was denied for PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is rated at 50 percent. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, vision disorder (blurry vision), psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain due to potential errors in the initial decision-making process.

The Veteran's diagnosed other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, alternatively diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder with insomnia, is directly related to traumatic events during his combat tour in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination. The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain syndrome.

The Board denied eligibility for attorney fees based on the January 2023 rating decision that granted increased ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and service connection for Left Hip Strain. The appeal was dismissed as the June 2022 claim for an increased rating was considered a new claim, not a supplemental claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and bipolar disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no current disability and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of lay reports and medical opinions, as well as failure to address separate diagnoses such as Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder are being sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent effective July 25, 2019. The Board found the disability picture more nearly approximates a 70 percent rating due to symptoms such as frequent suicidal ideation and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, and generalized anxiety disorder. The conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.