Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the evidence did not meet the criteria to establish a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5. The Veteran's adjustment disorder was found, but it is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder was reduced from 50% to 30%, but the Board found this reduction improper and reinstated the original 50% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to corroborate the claimed stressor and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is directly related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at July 26, 2004.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the evidence does not show a level of impairment greater than Roman numeral designation I in both ears. The issues of service connection for other specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD secondary to left shoulder injury are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot condition. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety disorder, are also remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for GAD secondary to tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, TDIU prior to August 20, 2020, and DEA benefits prior to that date are being remanded due to the failure to obtain his private psychiatric treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a duty to assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current adjustment disorder, previously rated as an acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as persistent depressive disorder, dysthymia, and anxiety disorder), is related to service. The evidence is at least evenly balanced on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, a mood disorder, or an anxiety disorder is remanded due to the need for further medical examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's right knee disability, scars of the right knee, anxiety/mental issues with PTSD, insomnia with headaches and nightmares, left knee disability, and back pain as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depression has been rated at 70 percent since January 3, 2013. The Board finds that an even higher rating is warranted due to the severity of her symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete review of medical records and a need for a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current diagnoses of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety condition are proximately due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected panic disorder, depression, and anxiety attacks is being remanded due to a failure to obtain a new examination given the evidence suggesting a worsening of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that it is related to his military service.