Anxiety decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of assistive devices such as braces, crutches, canes, rollators, and walkers. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of PTSD, anxiety, and depression as they are concurrent with a prior appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including VA imaging records and a mental health examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder, finding that it had its onset during service and is related to service.

The Veteran's mental health condition, specifically unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is granted at a 50% rating effective June 1, 2021. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The earlier effective dates for right shoulder and back service connection are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left ankle disability (not specified), and acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) has been denied. The appeal is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of flexion and/or abduction limited to 25 degrees from the side.,For her adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, the Veteran's current 70 percent rating is denied. The Board found that she does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's employment during the appeal period was full-time and his income exceeded the poverty threshold, making him unable to establish marginal employment. Therefore, he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty to assist errors and will require a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to his active service, including any vaccinations provided during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is related to active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder is granted, effective March 7, 2024. The decision finds that the March 2024 VA examination was most probative of the severity of the condition at the time of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, migraine headaches, diabetes, psychiatric disabilities (adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression), PTSD, plantar fasciitis, left knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded claims for acquired psychiatric conditions, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or undergo further examinations to support his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of his March 8, 2024 rating decision that granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and PTSD at 50 percent effective August 3, 2023. The denial was based on the late filing of the appeal request.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent since December 8, 2023, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection due to untimely filing of appeal requests.