Anxiety decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected mental health conditions, specifically his anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and depressive disorder with traumatic brain injury. As such, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction and urinary incontinence is rated at 60 percent from March 17, 2025. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating due to more frequent use of absorbent materials. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety, depression, and insomnia) was denied as there is no persuasive evidence of such conditions during or recent to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to toxic substances during active duty, including anticholinesterase nerve agents and mustard gas. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between these exposures and the Veteran's bladder cancer, peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's rating for acquired psychiatric disorders was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, but the Board found this reduction improper and restored his original 70 percent rating.

Service connection for ED was granted with an effective date of May 17, 2021.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied prior to January 20, 2022.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted with an effective date of January 5, 2024.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for kidney disability was denied.,Service connection for OSA was granted.,Service connection for PTSD was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include MDD and anxiety was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and duty-to-assist issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current depressive and anxiety disorders are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically his claimed PTSD. The VA examination provided by the examiner is deemed inadequate and requires further clarification.

The Veteran's application for enrollment in the PCAFC is denied because his serious injury occurred after May 7, 1975 and before September 11, 2001. The application was filed before October 1, 2022, which is when VA regulations require a denial of such applications.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's in-service drug use misconduct was willful and persistent, but there were compelling circumstances mitigating this misconduct. As a result, service connection for PTSD is granted for compensation purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection was granted, and a 100% evaluation was assigned. The award of attorney fees based on past-due benefits is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including OCD and anxiety, is not related to his service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 50% rating for anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence is denied. The effective date cannot be earlier than January 24, 2023, as there is no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 28, 2023, for the award of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was denied. The Board found that only one complete claim could be associated with each intent to file a claim and thus December 15, 2022, did not attach to the later supplemental claim seeking compensation benefits for an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder was remanded due to failure to provide proper notice of scheduled VA examinations and inability to schedule a VA examination via telehealth or at a facility near his residence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a VA examination for insomnia, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety and trauma disorder, is found to be as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II associated with herbicide exposure is granted. The claim of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD to include major depressive disorder moderate and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as entitlements for left inguinal herniorrhaphy and left inguinal hernia scar are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression, is granted service connection. However, his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective April 2, 2025.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50% disabling. The claim for a higher rating is denied as there is no evidence of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale requiring tracheostomy.