Anxiety decisions — 2001

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence, including statements from private physicians indicating treatment of PTSD. The veteran's death is also being considered as the cause of his death.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety neurosis and schizophrenia. The appellant's testimony provided new evidence that was not previously considered.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities, including her anxiety neurosis and lumbar spine injury, prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's condition, a psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction with anxiety neurosis and depressive features, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, cannot be granted due to a lack of verified stressor. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, hysteria reaction, and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified warrants a 100 percent disability rating due to his severe impairment in social functioning.

The VA Regional Office denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his anxiety reaction and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The veteran's anxiety disorder is deemed to be linked to his active wartime service. Therefore, service connection for chronic anxiety disorder is granted.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The service-connected peptic ulcer disease with large para-esophageal hernia does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and increased rating for anxiety disorder was granted. The effective date for service connection is set at December 4, 1990, while the current disability evaluation remains at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence does not support such an increase.

The veteran's depressive disorder with PTSD and anxiety is rated at 50 percent, effective from the original grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a 50 percent evaluation, resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to changes in the law and failure to provide proper notice.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in November 1998 was inadequate for evaluating the veteran's anxiety disorder. The RO is instructed to schedule a new VA psychiatric examination and obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his anxiety disorder/dysthymic disorder and service connection for tinnitus. The decision also referred other claims to the RO, including a request for service connection for PTSD and a right index finger disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be decided, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination for the appellant.

The veteran's death was due to renal failure. The appellant paid for the funeral expenses, but there were no accrued benefits as the veteran had no pending claims and no unpaid benefits at the time of his death.