Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 22, 2011, to December 9, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a higher rating for his service-connected social anxiety have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic tinnitus in service or within the presumptive period, and the VA examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to military noise exposure. For the social anxiety claim, the Board noted that while occupational and social impairment exists, it does not meet the criteria for a 70% rating as required by Diagnostic Code 9400.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for specific phobia, situational and generalized anxiety disorder. The claim of service connection for headaches is remanded.

Your claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been fully granted. You are now rated at 70% for an unspecified mood disorder, effective August 17, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with osteophyte formation, compensable disability rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder, and a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him wheelchair bound and in need of nursing home care, regular aid and attendance to prepare his meals, assist with bathing and hygiene needs, and manage medication. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance but dismissed the claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 16, 2020 for the award of service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (including Generalized Anxiety Disorder) is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder, moderate, is granted a 50% disability rating effective June 21, 2016. The appeal for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and will consider service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as well as secondary service connection for any psychiatric disorders related to a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder, is etiologically related to his active service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar and anxiety disorders, based on the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty military service.

Your appeal for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression has been dismissed as you requested withdrawal of your hearing and the appeal.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected thoracolumbar spine arthritis and sciatic nerve dysfunction of the lower extremities, thus service connection is granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings, TDIU, SMC, and DEA related to her MDD with unspecified anxiety disorder prior to July 16, 2020 are being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for the claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The Veteran needs to be provided with an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, GERD, hypertension, and IBS. The diagnoses were established based on current medical records and the Veteran's reports of symptoms during service.,Service connection is granted as there is no conflicting evidence or opinions against these claims.

The Board dismissed the requests for extensions of time to file VA Form 10182 as there was no ruling on these issues before the Veteran's death, and the appeals are now closed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on the severity of her symptoms and their impact on her occupational and social functioning.