Anxiety Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that her claims were not credible and that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness. The Veteran's symptoms predated her service and she did not meet the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depression and anxiety attacks is granted, effective from January 31, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of May 31, 2019. The Board found that the earliest effective date for this grant is January 31, 2019, based on her Intent to File (ITF) application.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for major depression and anxiety disorder with insomnia is denied. The appeal for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is dismissed as moot. The service connection claim for a neck disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) is dismissed because the issue has been fully addressed by granting service connection for persistent depressive disorder with other specified personality disorder to include alcohol use disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, are related to his service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of a proposed reduction in the Veteran's rating for general anxiety disorder as it is not an adjudicative decision that can be appealed to the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), and hypertension due to secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability. The AOJ is required to provide addendum VA medical opinions and consider all theories of entitlement.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder, finding that it is due to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, consisting of unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, has been rated at 50 percent since May 23, 2024.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The evidence shows that the Veteran first experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety during his military service and continues to experience these conditions today.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for chronic neuralgia and eustachian tube dysfunction due to withdrawal by the appellant. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted, but the cervical spine degenerative arthritis and scar from hernia repair are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to the effective dates granted in earlier decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as her arguments do not provide a basis to assign an earlier date. The correct effective date is assigned based on her supplemental claim received July 31, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to November 20, 2015, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU or eligibility for DEA benefits at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is in dispute due to a lack of private medical records, and thus the case must be remanded to obtain these records and provide an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service connected. The issues of PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder type II, and general anxiety disorder. The decision is based on new evidence received after the April 2017 rating decision that shows a current diagnosis of these conditions and their relationship to in-service stressors.