Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TBI are both denied.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with alcohol and opioid use disorders, which were granted service connection for in October 2018, is now rated at the highest possible level of disability (70 percent), reflecting significant impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and major depression with anxiety were remanded due to insufficient development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate, and the case requires further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome and residuals of left foot fracture with secondary MTPJ, are found to have caused his obesity, which in turn led to his obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer was denied, and his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood received a rating of 100% effective from August 13, 2018. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with duty to assist, substantial compliance, and need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder or gastrointestinal condition.

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety condition and hearing loss, but has remanded the issue of service connection for headaches due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will consider service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. A new opinion is needed regarding whether the unspecified anxiety disorder is due to active service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other trauma and stressor related disorder, adjustment-like disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between these conditions and an in-service event.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is rated at 50 percent, effective June 16, 2021.

The Board dismissed the service connection claims for depression, anxiety, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, kidney condition, osteoarthritis, and right knee condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues during his hearing. The claim for hypertension was granted with a PACT Act presumption.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is a result of his in-service stressor and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD is dismissed. The claims of service connection for GERD and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, insomnia, and a mid/lower back condition. The evidence did not show that these conditions were related to his active-duty service.,There was no mention of anxiety or insomnia in the Veteran's service treatment records (STR). His separation physical showed no change in health since entering service and no back condition was noted.

An initial evaluation of 70 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. Entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted. The issue of service connection for headaches, secondary to the service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, PTSD, and psychotic disorder due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence that he requires regular assistance from another person due to his service-connected disabilities.