Anxiety decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder, finding that his current diagnosis is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and knee conditions and psychiatric disorder, prevent him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of at least 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, depression, and anxiety have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for anxiety and depression due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, dissociative disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from June 18, 2012. The rating is granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD, which was previously rated at 50 percent, has been granted. The decision is based on the severity and frequency of PTSD symptoms that have caused occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, as secondary to her service-connected disabilities, is dismissed because she was granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder in August 2023.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for PTSD was dismissed because the VA Form 10182, which is used to file appeals, was not timely submitted.

Service connection is granted for generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right knee disability, left hip disability, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar degenerative joint disease, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressive disorder, peripheral nerve conditions, and right shoulder osteoarthritis preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete records development, including verification of service dates and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private treatment records and any stressor information. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD due to a lack of adequate notice regarding scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran's current left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during active service or is otherwise related to in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for MDD with unspecified anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain, and TMJ was denied. The Veteran's seborrhea dermatitis and nephrolithiasis were also denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 29, 2020 for the grant of service connection for Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood. The disability existed as of that date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety and depression, is denied as not being related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for PTSD due to MST is remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for tension headaches was denied. His PTSD remains at a 50% rating, but the case is remanded regarding obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in a May 2024 Board hearing, effectively dismissing all related issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for persistent depressive disorder and persistent anxiety disorder due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective June 30, 2008. He also received TDIU and SMC for the specified periods.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders. The claim for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome remains denied.