Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

Service connection is granted for left-elbow, left-knee, and left-shoulder conditions.,Service connection is denied for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus and generalized anxiety disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, fatigue symptoms including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and an acquired psychiatric disability due to inadequate reasoning and lack of clarity in the medical records.

The Veteran's right hand calluses are denied as there is no evidence of chronicity of care for his right hand friction burn, and the VA opinions found that it is less likely than not that the current right hand calluses were caused by service. The left ear hearing loss is also denied as the auditory thresholds in both ears did not meet the criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's neck condition, memory loss due to traumatic brain injury, ulnar nerve condition, left hand and right hand nerve conditions, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), bilateral flat feet and bunions, bilateral hallux valgus/bunions, and bilateral hammer toes are all remanded as further development is needed.

The Board granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, to include simple phobia, diagnosed as specific phobia, situational, panic disorder, and dissociative disorder, based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 4, 2021 for the grants of service connection for anxiety disorder, back disability (Thoracolumbar Spine), right hand strain, left hand strain, sciatica right lower extremity, and sciatica left lower extremity. The Veteran's increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability is also granted as of May 4, 2021.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 21, 2022, for the re-establishment of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, tobacco related use disorder and opioid related use disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for left and right carpel tunnel syndrome, specific phobia (anxiety, fear of flying), and skin condition (Xerosis cutis) have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper extremity nerve disabilities and a back disability due to a lack of medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder effective May 1, 2022 is denied.,Service connection for headaches secondary to tinnitus is denied. The Veteran does not have a present diagnosis for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, is etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were found to have started during his active service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from October 8, 2014, to November 30, 2014, and from June 20, 2015, to October 31, 2015. The rating remains unchanged for the rest of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for anxiety and neck strain, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for an unspecified anxiety disorder is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they are productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has expanded the scope of the Veteran's service connection claim to include all currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders. The matter is REMANDED for further actions including verifying in-service stressors, obtaining SSA records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, rated at 70 percent since August 17, 2012, is granted. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case to address service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's request to reopen his left shoulder disability claim is also referred to the AOJ.