Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was also denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, panic disorder, and TBI is granted a 100 percent rating effective from June 25, 2021. Additionally, the Veteran is granted SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for additional months of service-connected compensation for various conditions have been denied. The effective dates and payment start dates are legally correct.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and cervical strain were granted effective September 23, 2020.,Anxiety Disorder was rated at 70% disability rating from September 23, 2020. Cervical Strain was rated at 30% disability rating from the same date.

The Veteran's competency is restored, he is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, and his rating for migraines is increased to 60 percent.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reconsider the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted as secondary to herpes viral infection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral eye disability and migraine headaches secondary to low back disability are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 19, 2010, for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder with insomnia have been rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that these symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will consider service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of October 16, 2017. The Board granted an effective date of this date for his TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a deviated septum due to additional development being required. The Veteran's claims are not about service connection via a presumption, but rather on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected GAD is granted a 100% rating effective November 18, 2013. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's initial, noncompensable disability rating for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is now granted to a 50 percent rating effective October 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of March 17, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood, and alcohol use disorder, in remission. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether this condition began during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and will schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and related conditions was granted with an effective date of May 23, 2019. An initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD is also granted.

The Board has found errors in the AOJ's notice and requires that a pre-decisional hearing be provided to the Veteran before the AOJ on all reopened claims.