Anxiety Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of compensable disability ratings for dyspnea and left ear hearing loss were also denied.

Prior to June 24, 2024, the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified personality disorder symptoms have more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. His symptoms have not approximated total occupational and social impairment.,From June 24, 2024, the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified personality disorder symptoms have more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. His symptoms have not approximated total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as general anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder and depression, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC)(l) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of helplessness or inability to perform basic self-care activities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and PVCs, finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

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

The Veteran's mental health disorders, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are now service-connected. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and assignment of a 30 percent rating for his psychiatric disorder, finding that no claims were received prior to December 2023.

Service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis is granted. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left hip strain, limitation of extension is denied. Entitlement to psychiatric disorder (borderline personality disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's GAD and related conditions are granted a 70% rating from January 5, 2023. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also granted as secondary to the service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disability, Radiculopathies, Hip Limitations, Migraine Headache Disorder, IBS, and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected panic disorder, lumbosacral strain, OSA, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and insomnia have been denied.,Specifically, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for panic disorder on appeal from the August 2024 rating decision was denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent effective from November 17, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will need additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder.

The appeal of the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension and OSA are granted, with secondary service connection for insomnia disorder as secondary to OSA also being granted.,Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, cholecystectomy (gallbladder condition), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and a respiratory disability (including asthma and dyspnea) is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand disability and anxiety are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, as these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as there was no evidence of an increase in disability within the one-year period prior to May 10, 2023.,The Veteran's basic eligibility for DEA benefits was awarded with an effective date of May 10, 2023, and thus any earlier effective date claim is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, is related to service and remands the case for a proper medical opinion.