Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent, as his symptoms were found to be within the range that warranted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's gastric ulcer with erosive gastroduodenitis is granted an initial 20 percent rating.,Other service connection claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for athlete's foot and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, bilateral chronic conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome, right knee strain, and bilateral pes planus. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various psychiatric and neurological conditions have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his attorney.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his TDIU and increased disability rating due to finality of previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his condition had worsened, and he failed to cooperate with scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety with adjustment disorder with depressed mood, has been granted due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and mood swings, as the result of military sexual trauma experienced during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current psychiatric or neuropathic disorders, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, High Blood Pressure, and Tinnitus. The rating for his unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective August 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and records. The issues of psychiatric disorders and gastrointestinal disabilities are being reviewed.

The appeal to reduce the disability rating for depressive disorder with anxiety is dismissed as it was not a final decision by VA.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as the claim for a compensable rating for TBI. The AOJ is required to obtain missing service records, verify in-service stressors, and provide adequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for PTSD with anxiety is denied. The Board notes that the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds no causal relationship between service and the diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder.,The claims for bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, and lumbar radiculopathy are remanded due to new evidence received in 2023 and potential exposure to toxic chemicals during service.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded. The Veteran's claim for lumbar radiculopathy remains pending.,The claims for bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, and asthma are remanded due to the need for a TERA memorandum and ILER report.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining qualifications of VA examiners who examined him throughout the course of the appeal.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for tinnitus as it was granted in a previous decision. The issue of readjudication for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to new and relevant evidence being received.

The Board has granted SMC at the housebound rate based on the Veteran's service-connected dysthymia with social anxiety disorder, neurocognitive disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The combined rating of his other disabilities meets the threshold for housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 12, 2020, for the 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and trichotillomania with anxiety and alcohol use disorder in early full remission is denied. The Board found that no factually ascertainable increase in disability occurred before August 12, 2020.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood and history of alcohol use disorder; also diagnosed as major depressive disorder, recurrent, and anxiety disorder, effective July 1, 2021.