Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to verify an in-service stressor event, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder, are related to his service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety disorder and/or panic attacks is dismissed. The right shoulder disability has been granted a rating of 30%. Other issues have been remanded.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, finding that it most nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70% or higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to properly develop the record regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and his current psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service, including his claimed stressor.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and general anxiety disorder have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities, including insomnia disorder with comorbid major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, were evaluated as not severe enough to warrant a higher rating from March 13, 2018, to December 6, 2020. From December 7, 2020, the Veteran's disabilities did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder NOS, left knee strain with osteoarthritis, and left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis. The Board finds that an updated VA examination is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder NOS, left knee strain with osteoarthritis, and left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current level of severity of these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder to include Anxiety and Depression, finding that there was no evidence showing a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board found that a separate award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD would result in pyramiding. Therefore, the claim for such service connection was denied.

An initial 100 percent rating for unspecified anxiety disorder is granted.,A non-compensable rating for tension headaches is denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from May 19, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are found to be related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,His left knee condition is determined to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The evidence shows the Veteran experienced significant mental health issues during his military service, which led to his current conditions.

The Veteran's mental health disorder, claimed as depression, anxiety disorder, mood swings, and nightmares, was incurred during his active military service. The Board found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted for the entire period on appeal, and as a result, the issue is moot. The appeal for TDIU benefit must be dismissed.

The Veteran's genital herpes has been granted a 60 percent rating, the highest available under VA regulations.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, trauma and stressor related disorder, and substance abuse disorder in sustained remission) is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Disorder, are related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.