Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder and TBI is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and he has been granted service connection for OSA. However, he was denied a TDIU as his service-connected disability does not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches/migraines, dizziness, and individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate medical opinions in the April 2020 rating decision. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for abnormal ECG with tachycardia / a heart disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's service records from November 19, 1991, to May 1994 are needed, as well as post-service VA treatment records from 1995 through February 2009, and Social Security Administration disability application records.

Service connection for migraine headaches is granted. From April 17, 2019, through October 3, 2019, a 70 percent rating for PTSD with GAD and MDD is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for adjustment disorder, chronic, with mixed anxiety and depressed mood based on new evidence. The Veteran's condition is related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran did not have a pending claim for accrued benefits at the time of his death, and has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has dismissed all the claims related to various conditions, including trochanteris pain syndrome, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, asthmatic bronchitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, migraines, and a bulging disc. The Veteran withdrew her appeal through her authorized representative.

The Veteran's phobic anxiety disorder and panic disorder, with alcohol use disorder, are granted as service-connected due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's MDD, unspecified anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective June 20, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the April 2019 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination in August 2020, and a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to July 30, 2022 is dismissed. The Veteran also requested assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptation, but this was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depression, are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and continued after her active service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, finding that his psychiatric disability caused him to become obese and subsequently develop obstructive sleep apnea.