Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and PTSD) was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring the AOJ to obtain an opinion on whether VA treatment caused additional disability and if so, whether it was due to carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's asthma and hypertension are granted as service-connected, with the hypertension secondary to his asthma. His UAD is also granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current diagnosis of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's current back disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began during active service.,Service connection for a mental health disability (including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression) is denied. The Board found no evidence of aggravation in-service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back condition, left hip arthritis with strain, right ankle and left ankle. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being reviewed due to a lack of probative weight in the October 2019 VA examination, while his back and ankle conditions require clarification regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it is due to her service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms have been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome, with major depressive like episode, GAD, and alcohol use disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with lumbar discopathy s/p lumbar surgery with synovial cyst and degenerative changes. The Board has also granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and links it to an in-service stressor.,Service connection has also been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depression (MDD) and Anxiety. The evidence shows that these conditions are linked to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety and depression, but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's anxiety and depression are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has requested to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The application to readjudicate his claim for alcohol use disorder was denied due to lack of relevant evidence.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability, and PTSD have all been granted service connection.

The Veteran's other specified anxiety disorder (previously rated as PTSD) is now rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability from 100% to 70% was granted, effective May 1, 2021. The discontinuation of DEA benefits and statutory SMC(s) payments was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and depression was dismissed because the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder with panic attacks in a February 2024 rating decision represented a full grant of benefits. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder are related to service.,The Veteran's Somatic Symptom Disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's discharge was due to a service-connected disability, allowing her to receive the maximum rate of Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits (100%).