Anxiety decisions — 2025

The appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and raised prostate specific antigen (PSA) were dismissed due to untimely submissions.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, including left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee tendinopathy, left knee tendinopathy, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, and plantar fasciitis in both feet.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and unspecified trauma disorders, for further development.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and bulging disc of the lumbar spine (lumbosacral strain with IVDS) and a disability rating higher than 70 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board denied service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service events.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder as the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied an effective date prior to March 30, 2023, for the award of service connection for PTSD and a 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety, and insomnia. However, TDIU from November 8, 2017, was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as remanded claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disability, psychiatric disability (anxiety), and plantar fasciitis due to procedural errors in the filing of the Veteran's notices of disagreement and concurrent elections.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety, to obtain additional evidence regarding its relationship to service.

The appeal was denied as the reduction of a 70 percent rating for service-connected PTSD to a 50 percent rating was proper, and there was no evidence supporting a higher rating or service connection for anxiety.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disorder, and a left hip disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent, and the TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is dismissed because the Veteran is already service connected for an acquired psychiatric condition, which includes GAD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and PTSD to obtain additional evidence, including a VA examination and private treatment records.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress and denied service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, which is already included in the rating for his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that his symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.