Anxiety decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with severe recurrent major depressive disorder alone rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, which was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and his depression and anxiety are considered part of the PTSD rating. His hearing loss, right elbow pain, left elbow pain, TBI, left knee condition, and sleep apnea claims are denied.

The Veteran's skin condition, tinea versicolor, is granted service connection. For PTSD with depression and anxiety prior to October 28, 2020, a 70 percent evaluation is granted; for the period after that date, an evaluation in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to further develop evidence regarding the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and their potential impact on his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The case will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle and calf disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety), finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected mental disorder, finding that his anxiety and depression significantly worsen his respiratory condition.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is granted as service connected due to an in-service incident involving white phosphorus exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service experiences. The decision also denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically depression and anxiety, is rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board finds that the severity of his symptoms does not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to her in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to her in-service military sexual assault.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 29, 2023, for the award of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), finding that it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran became unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 16, 2021. The effective date is set at November 29, 2023.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various disabilities due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorders, based on the Veteran's reported in-service traumatic experiences.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending appeals, including those for a higher rating for adjustment disorder and service connection for hearing loss and bilateral knees. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder from March 1, 2023 was granted. The effective date remains pending as the earlier effective date request is separate and distinct.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability is dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review options. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to migraines due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety is rated at 70 percent since February 22, 2024. Service connection for an anxiety disorder secondary to PTSD is granted. The issue of service connection for tinnitus has been rendered moot due to its grant.