Anxiety decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have been denied. The RO found that the severity of his symptoms, as described by a VA examiner, did not warrant a higher rating than the current 70 percent assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran's depression and GAD were not separate and distinct from his PTSD, and therefore cannot be rated as separate service-connected conditions. Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on in-service exposure to loud noises.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 6, 2004 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder. The case is remanded for a rating review.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and IVDS, along with left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, chronic adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, PTSD, and anxiety disorders, are etiologically related to service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability rating for PTSD, with depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, and for TDIU have been dismissed due to the failure to respond to the Board's request for clarification of her intended appeal options.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety and depression, are not related to her service due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence. The polycystic breast issue requires further examination as no VA examination has been conducted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted as service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions, as well as potential legal errors in previous decisions. The Veteran will have an opportunity to request another hearing or present additional evidence.

The Veteran's balance impairment is due to her service-connected left hand hemi-motor syndrome. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for her unspecified anxiety and neurocognitive disorder, but denied the request for an increased rating for left hand hemi-motor syndrome and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Hypertension, and Fibromyalgia due to duty-to-assist errors. Additional medical opinions are needed to address secondary service connection theories.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the case before a decision was made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records that could be relevant to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The SSA records and Indiana State benefits claim records need to be obtained and added to the claims file.

From June 28, 2023, to March 18, 2024, the Veteran's GAD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent disabling and he received an initial 70 percent rating for this condition. He also received a TDIU based solely on his service-connected GAD with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to another medical condition with mixed features is granted a rating of 50 percent.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and somatic symptom disorder are all granted.,Service connection for pain of lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the case and requires a VA medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor with anxiety and depression.

The appeal for service connection for low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as moot. The appeals for service connection for piriformis syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), and limitation of motion of the right hand fourth metacarpal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety, due to a duty to assist error in obtaining VA treatment records from 1986-1987. The Veteran's depression is linked to his military service, specifically his hernia operations and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches but denied service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as insomnia and mental health). The Veteran's tension headaches are found to have begun during active service, while the evidence does not support a finding that his anxiety disorder began in service or is related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 23, 2017 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder.