The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between current anxiety disorder NOS and active service.
The deciding factor: The medical reviewer opined that it was not at least as likely as not that the Veteran's anxiety disorder had onset in active service or is otherwise causally connected with his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety disorder NOS
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19178099
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to determine if diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 16, 2012 due to non-compliance with previous directives. The case is now referred to the Director of Compensation Services for an extraschedular determination.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety disorder NOS is granted a rating of 70 percent, but his hallux rigidus of the right foot remains at its current non-service-connected status. The decision on TDIU was denied.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, PTSD, and MDD, is found to be as likely as not attributable to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST) incident. Service connection for small bowel obstruction, secondary to service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.