Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and the evidence is persuasively against a finding that the current decreased hearing acuity is the result of an in-service disease or injury. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression.,Service connection was denied for a periodontal disease due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. However, the Board also granted service connection for the same condition on a limited basis for purposes of establishing eligibility for VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected due to the in-service domestic abuse by her former spouse.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive features, including TBI, is now rated at 50% effective May 22, 2021. This decision grants the increased rating claim for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The claims for sleep apnea, ear pain, and cough/shortness of breath are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset and course.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety and schizophrenia) and a left knee disorder were denied. The appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, was rated at 30 percent. The Board found the symptoms did not more closely approximate a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety, insomnia, and depressive disorders, finding that these conditions are either directly related to his military service or to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress and cocaine use disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the period on appeal, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) were granted effective November 16, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of a link between the current condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities was denied by the Board, and she appealed. The appeal is now back before the Board after being remanded by the CAVC. The evidence does not support a higher than 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder) have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and trouble sleeping is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for nausea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating more than 70 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder) was denied. The VA initially granted service connection with a 70 percent rating effective April 22, 2024.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA medical opinion and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's mental health disability caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The disability did not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting psychiatric disability, specifically depression and anxiety disorder, increased in severity during service beyond its natural progression. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral flatfoot, moderate degenerative disc disease at L1-L2 and lower lumbar spine facet joint osteoarthritis, tinnitus, unspecified anxiety disorder, bronchial asthma, sinusitis, and sleep apnea, do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by active service.