Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective November 15, 2018. The evidence supports finding that he was substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises due to service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder without psychotic features, with anxious distress, is rated at 70 percent since July 30, 2014.,With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, she is granted a TDIU due to service-connected major depressive disorder without psychotic features, with anxious distress, effective from August 15, 2020.

The Veteran's service connection claims for atrial fibrillation and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to atrial fibrillation) are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with symptoms of depression is rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to significant impairment in work and social relationships, including difficulty maintaining effective relationships, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, lumbosacral strain, and left ankle disability have been rated as per the criteria since July 31, 2019. The effective dates for SMC based on housebound status and DEA are also set to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The service connection for an anxiety disorder is dismissed.

The Veteran's neck disabilities, including degenerative joint disease with cervical spondylosis, cervical radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease, myofascial pain syndrome, and chronic pain syndrome, are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's headache disability is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of OCD, PTSD, and Anxiety due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress has been granted a 70 percent disability rating from November 11, 2019, and TDIU due to service-connected depression. The initial increased rating is denied prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient VA examination opinions and incomplete service records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are being evaluated again for proper service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's pre-existing depressive symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service stressors will be considered during the examination process.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's psychiatric condition (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) and hypertension are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's restless leg syndrome, including whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted since the August 2019 rating decision. The Veteran's stressor statement provided in March 2020 was considered, along with VA treatment records and a VA examination, which supported reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder (also claimed as PTSD, severe depression, and anxiety) was denied. The claim for a compensable rating for status post left varicocele ligation was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and hypertension have been dismissed as the AOJ has granted these conditions in full.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing their secondary nature.