Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and a need for further development, including scheduling a new VA mental health evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 before August 13, 2018 is denied as the effective date of his 100% disability rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was set on that date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and as secondary to a service-connected condition, is granted but remanded for further examination.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and chronic pain syndrome from 70 percent to 70 percent effective November 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically his adjustment disorder and PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires a new examination to determine if any of the claimed conditions meet or have met the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD, anxiety, and alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and PTSD, is granted as service-connected.,An increased rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability from October 15, 2015 to November 25, 2019 is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and lack of a clear opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are now rated at 50 percent, effective November 7, 2021.,The Veteran's service-connected IBS is now rated at 30 percent, effective November 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder due to issues being inextricably intertwined with a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder have been granted a 70 percent disability rating from June 27, 2009 to June 4, 2023.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 24, 2018 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to a combination of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 4, 2022, for the grant of service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and lumbosacral strain have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and 20 percent for lumbosacral strain have also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service combat stressors. The appeal of the proposed finding of incompetency was dismissed as premature, and the appeal for tinnitus is moot.

The Veteran's acquired mental health condition, including anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depression, is granted. The initial disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50 percent. The initial disability ratings for left knee conditions are denied. Service connection for back condition and TDIU are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as migraine headaches, due to failure to comply with appropriate claims processing rules regarding an appeal to the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs to provide opinions on the service connection for various acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorder, back disorder, elbow disorders, wrist disorders, shoulder disorders, hip disorders, ankle disorders, and foot disorders. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The Veteran is requested to undergo a new VA examination and receive an opinion on her current diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and unspecified anxiety disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.