{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/anxiety-disorder","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:10.255Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Anxiety disorder","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":12624,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21,"denied_pct":25.6,"remanded_pct":50.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":45,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":621,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":26.6,"remanded_pct":46.5},{"year":2018,"issues":1219,"granted_pct":19.7,"denied_pct":23,"remanded_pct":51.8},{"year":2019,"issues":1457,"granted_pct":18.3,"denied_pct":24,"remanded_pct":54.2},{"year":2020,"issues":1432,"granted_pct":19.1,"denied_pct":26.4,"remanded_pct":51},{"year":2021,"issues":1299,"granted_pct":21.7,"denied_pct":24.9,"remanded_pct":49.4},{"year":2022,"issues":1221,"granted_pct":22,"denied_pct":20.7,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2023,"issues":1419,"granted_pct":18,"denied_pct":22.6,"remanded_pct":55},{"year":2024,"issues":1633,"granted_pct":20.6,"denied_pct":25.5,"remanded_pct":49.7},{"year":2025,"issues":2038,"granted_pct":22.8,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":43},{"year":2026,"issues":682,"granted_pct":27.3,"denied_pct":29.3,"remanded_pct":40.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":68.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":1682,"granted_pct_with":75,"granted_pct_without":36.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":8689,"granted_pct_with":42.2,"granted_pct_without":54.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":2272,"granted_pct_with":80.4,"granted_pct_without":31.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":5519,"granted_pct_with":42.9,"granted_pct_without":46.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":3797,"granted_pct_with":56.9,"granted_pct_without":38.2},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":789,"granted_pct_with":63.3,"granted_pct_without":43.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":10208,"granted_pct_with":45,"granted_pct_without":45},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":475,"granted_pct_with":65.7,"granted_pct_without":44.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":985,"granted_pct_with":64.1,"granted_pct_without":42.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":346},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":126},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":41},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":37},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":31},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":18}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":411},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":268},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":204},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":174},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":151},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":149}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040453","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Private psychiatric evaluation found anxiety disorder to be significant and resulting from PTSD.; Anxiety disorder symptoms accompanied PTSD symptoms like panic attacks.; Anxiety disorder is due to service-connected PTSD."},{"case_id":"A26040500","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"No dispute of current disability.; Credible in-service stressor established.; VA examiner provided positive nexus."},{"case_id":"A26040718","year":2026,"judge":"M. SORISIO","rationale":"Private medical opinion found insomnia likely resulted from service-connected back condition.; VA opinion was inadequate as it acknowledged the link but issued a negative nexus.; Insomnia disorder is a recognized mental health diagnosis."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040479","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"No competent evidence of current mental health diagnosis; VA examiner found no DSM-5 diagnosis; Veteran reported only mild, transient anxiety symptoms; No current treatment for mental health conditions"},{"case_id":"A26040825","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"Anxiety not related to toxic exposure risk activity; Bare assertion of anxiety related to active duty; No supporting service treatment records for anxiety"},{"case_id":"A26040852","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"No in-service complaints or treatment for insomnia; No nexus established to service; McLendon criteria for remand not met"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}