Anxiety decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's VA disability compensation award was removed for his spouse and dependent child due to non-verification of their dependency status. The appeal is dismissed as the claim has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, MDD with psychotic features, depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder, tobacco use disorder, and psychosis are found to have begun during service or be related to in-service events. The claims for sleep disturbances and bilateral eye disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder has been dismissed as the issue is now covered by a full grant of service connection for persistent depressive disorder with other specified personality disorder to include alcohol use disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA did not provide a proper examination for the appellant's service-connected psychiatric disability, which is the primary reason for his inability to maintain substantially gainful employment. The case is being remanded to address this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and assigned an initial disability rating of 50 percent, effective May 7, 2023. The appellant's symptoms include near-continuous panic attacks, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized disorder with insomnia disorder is denied. The effective date assigned is December 29, 2023, which is the date of the Veteran's intent to file.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder with insomnia disorder is denied. The current disability rating of 70 percent is considered appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure of VA to obtain an adequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, and the Board finds that his fatigue and sleep apnea are related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified anxiety disorder is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for an adequate VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks was granted, effective April 4, 1985. The VA assigned a 50% rating from October 3, 2023, and denied TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disability is related to his combat service in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, are found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied prior to September 21, 2015. From September 21, 2015, the Veteran is granted a TDIU. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) has been granted effective from September 21, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder with insomnia disorder is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of allergic rhinitis. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, right hip condition, and right knee condition. The appeal was dismissed as a result.

A disability rating of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted prior to December 17, 2024. A higher rating is denied from December 17, 2024 onward.