Anxiety decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are directly related to events during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD to include depressive disorder and generalized anxiety is denied. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with tendonitis/tendinosis, unspecified headaches, and allergic rhinitis are granted. Service connection for chronic sinusitis and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's right little finger disability is rated noncompensable, as the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code does not account for his symptoms.,For PTSD, alcohol use disorder, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, shift work type with major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating based on total occupational and social impairment.