Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorders were not diagnosed or service-connected.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome with depressive features and generalized anxiety disorder are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II, secondary to asthma with pulmonary sarcoidosis, is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for anxiety disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back spasms, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as a combination of depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was initially granted in February 2020 with a 30% rating. In January 2019, the disability manifested such that it caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, leading to a higher 70% rating from then on.

The Board has found that the Veteran may have more than one acquired psychiatric disorder and is remanding for a new medical opinion to determine which, if any, are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, is due to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and increased ratings for anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development, including assessing occupational impact.

The Veteran's appeal for initial ratings for major depressive disorder and tension headaches has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and GAD, and TBI due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including cannabis use disorder and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The Board found that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressors, specifically a rough takeoff and flight in 1972. The VA examiner did not address this second stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression and anxiety, are remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral shin splints has been dismissed as the appeal was not timely filed. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left foot condition are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a formal diagnosis and incomplete VA records, including Vet Center mental health clinic records. The Veteran is requested to provide information about these records and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted on May 24, 2019, and the effective date is set to that day. The Board found no legal basis to assign an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to procedural defects.,These issues include claims for various conditions such as arthritis, anxiety and depression, and tumors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar I disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is found to be as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 15, 2021 for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The effective date is set at March 14, 2007, which is the day following her separation from active duty.