Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, coronary artery disease secondary to psychiatric disability, chronic right ankle pain, chronic left ankle pain, and chronic right knee pain as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that he developed these conditions during active duty. However, the Board found insufficient medical evidence to support this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with depression and anxiety, finding no evidence of a prior claim or entitlement to service connection before October 13, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depression is being remanded due to the failure to obtain all of his VA treatment records from the San Juan Vet Center.

The Veteran's MDD with GAD symptoms most closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot as the Veteran now receives a 100 percent evaluation for their service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment required for a 100% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are rated at 70 percent prior to September 16, 2019, with a TDIU granted for the same period.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder rating has been restored to a 70 percent effective October 1, 2022.

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was untimely and dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for SSD with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder was granted effective January 13, 2020. However, the Board denied an earlier effective date prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected psychiatric disability from June 30, 2015, is denied. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 30, 2015, is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety condition related to non-PTSD personal trauma, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the March 2015 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were based on his reported military experiences but no specific diagnoses or supporting evidence was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and other conditions were addressed. The Board found the reduction from 30% to 0% for allergic rhinitis was improper and restored the rating. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU need to be remanded due to inadequate development of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder due to inadequate VA opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to in-service stressors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding sleep apnea, anxiety condition, ringing in ears, and right ankle condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and generalized anxiety, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety. The Veteran should be scheduled for an examination to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits prior to October 25, 2021.