Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since September 28, 2018. Effective that date, the Veteran is granted an increased rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depressed Mood was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence showing he is unemployable.

The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals are granted a 60 percent evaluation, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claims of entitlement to SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, SMC based on housebound status, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service documentation and a need for verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training with both the Minnesota Army National Guard and the Florida Army National Guard.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for depression and anxiety as they were not properly appealed within the required timeframes.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and pedophilic disorder, is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder as there is no credible evidence of a current diagnosis and the Veteran's claim cannot be substantiated.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disability had its onset in service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition claimed as anxiety and bipolar disorder with mania, insomnia, a left foot injury, and a left shoulder condition. The evidence does not support the claim that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records, including those from her psychotherapy sessions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for Generalized Anxiety Disorder prior to January 4, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to January 4, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety is denied because there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability, including anxiety.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to February 10, 2022, and 50 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the claims for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ will need to obtain the Veteran's complete military personnel file and any relevant psychiatric treatment records before making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he has not been diagnosed with PTSD under the DSM-5 criteria.,The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which contemplates his psychiatric symptoms and impairment.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2003 for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and right knee disability and left knee disability. This was based on the receipt of relevant official service department records that existed but had not been associated with the claims file when VA first decided the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.,Service connection for OSA was not granted because the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during service and there is no medical nexus between his current condition and his service-connected PTSD. The Board also found that obesity, which may be related to his anxiety disorder, does not cause his sleep apnea.,The claim for generalized anxiety disorder remains pending as the Board could not determine if the Veteran's in-service events caused his current condition due to a lack of information from Federal records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental health disability, including anxiety and PTSD, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and an anxiety disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his obstructive sleep apnea. Without the obesity, the sleep apnea would not have occurred.