Anxiety decisions — 2001

The Board has granted a higher rating for the veteran's anxiety disorder, but denied his claim for service connection of PTSD. The decision is mixed as it addresses both issues raised by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety reaction, currently diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder, meets the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction, which is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, renders him unemployable due to his psychiatric disability. The decision grants the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The VA has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive features currently results in definite social and industrial impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has restored a 100 percent disability rating for the veteran's anxiety neurosis, effective from April 1, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection. The VA has already compensated him for any related symptoms under a different disability code.

The Board denied restoration of service connection for psychoneurosis and anxiety state, finding the original grant was erroneous due to clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because the actions of the VA staff anesthesiologist, while not part of standard care, do not constitute medical treatment or examination.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an anxiety disorder due to new evidence provided by a VA psychologist, linking the onset of the condition to military service. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized by major depression with anxiety and personality disorders, warranted a 100 percent rating effective from July 2, 1991.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is March 5, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected psychoneurosis with anxiety and headaches, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety neurosis is currently controlled by medication and does not result in significant social or occupational impairment, thus denying an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses for services rendered at the Bothwell Regional Health Center from July 31, 2000 to August 1, 2000 is denied as there was no evidence that the care received in a non-VA facility constituted a medical emergency or that VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, a tender abdominal scar, and an increased evaluation for the service-connected gastrointestinal disorder. The veteran's ventral hernia and hemorrhoids are not found to be related to his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed, including obtaining service medical records, post-service treatment records, and verifying stressors for PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's psychiatric disability, which is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling. The new evaluation reflects significant depression and anxiety centered around health concerns.

The VA has increased the veteran's rating for his generalized anxiety disorder from 10 percent to 30 percent, effective January 1999. The current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's chronic depression with generalized anxiety disorder and schizoid personality disorder is rated at the highest possible level of disability, a 100 percent rating, effective from June 1991.