Anxiety decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder was denied by the RO in October 1998. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure proper consideration of the veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current anxiety disorder with depression had its origin during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is not productive of more than a definite degree of social and industrial impairment, warranting a rating no higher than 30 percent.

The Board determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected mental disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a comprehensive VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of anxiety disorder with PTSD and traumatic arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for service connection for dermatitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a stomach disorder (ulcers) and found that all claims are well-grounded. The veteran's ulcers, hearing loss, COPD, and anxiety disorder are related to his treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in service.

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder with anxiety is manifested by severe symptoms that render him unemployable, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression and anxiety, concluding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between her current psychiatric disabilities and service.

The veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder and weak feet were denied by the RO.

The veteran's anxiety disorder with associated symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and chronic indigestion is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA has now increased this rating to 30 percent effective from the date of his claim in July 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of L4-L5 and L5-S1 is service-connected, but his anxiety disorder and cognitive disorder are not. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and determined that he has a current neuropsychiatric disorder related to his service, granting service connection for bipolar disorder and anxiety reaction.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318(b) due to a lack of medical evidence linking any service-connected condition to the veteran's death from heart disease.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected disability pension was denied as the earliest effective date assignable is December 29, 1994.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for urinary tract infections and an anxiety disorder with panic attacks, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death. The principal and significant contributing causes of death were atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus, which were not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder does not warrant a higher disability evaluation since January 1994, as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, the residuals of a back injury, and headaches, depression, ulcers, stomach problems, and anxiety attacks due to lack of competent medical evidence establishing these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder is denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.