Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression/major depressive disorder, mood disorder, anxiety/generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed moods. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood and migraines are being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and scheduling of VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder alone renders him unemployable, and he is granted a TDIU effective April 10, 2020. He also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that entitlement arose on April 10, 2020, when service connection was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's attempts to appeal the denial of service connection for bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression were not timely filed. The Board dismissed the appeals as the Veteran did not provide good cause for filing late.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder), peptic ulcer disease, and hypertension due to potential errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and records. The AOJ is required to obtain these opinions and records.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 21, 2020. The Board found that the earliest document in the claims file that may be accepted as a claim for entitlement to service connection for PTSD (originally claimed as anxiety and insomnia) is the intent to file claim received by VA on May 17, 2021.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent or higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids, and bilateral knee arthritis have been granted service connection. The back pain and PFB claims are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ear hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for her depressive disorder. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as untimely.,Service connection for PTSD has not been established.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee instability, PTSD, MDD, GAD, migraines, panic disorder, and latrophobia have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of left knee instability or PTSD. The Veteran's mental health conditions are currently diagnosed but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is due to his service-connected cerebral glioma with headache and seizure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was dismissed because the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide this issue due to a prior pending appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders was granted, with a new effective date of February 28, 2024. The appeal is also granted as the appellant is eligible to receive attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder is granted, while the claim for service connection for adjustment disorder is denied.