Anxiety decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not shown to be due to or aggravated by his service-connected back disorder, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety reaction warrants a 50% rating, but his coronary artery disease is not considered to be related to his service-connected anxiety reaction. The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder was denied by the Board. The case is now remanded due to new regulations and evidence requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that neither the veteran's service-connected anxiety state nor his pre-existing fracture of the right tarsal navicular caused or contributed to his death. The causes of death, cardiopulmonary arrest and colon cancer, were not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 22, 1992, for a grant of an evaluation of 100 percent for generalized anxiety reaction with major depression.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that new evidence submitted did not meet the criteria to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current level of psychiatric disability, characterized as anxiety disorder and depression, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. The evidence shows that her symptoms have been well-controlled with medications, and she is able to work at least part-time.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred in service and denied his claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant is permanently incapable of self-support due to mental retardation and anxiety disorder, qualifying him as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and a psychiatric disorder (specifically generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) as incurred during active military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for a skin disorder and PTSD. The veteran now has pending claims regarding these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected essential tremor and lethargical encephalitis with anxiety did not cause or contribute to his death from aortic stenosis due to coronary artery disease.

The veteran's anxiety disorder was not found to be severe enough to warrant a compensable evaluation from January 7, 1998 through May 31, 2000.,Service connection for the total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy secondary to service-connected endometriosis was denied as there is no evidence of contact or correspondence with the veteran until January 7, 1998.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's psoriasis vulgaris with generalized anxiety reaction does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, as the condition is manifested by scattered psoriasiform plaques over various body parts and localized involvement without significant trunk involvement.

The Board has determined that a timely notice of disagreement was filed regarding the denial of service connection for a nervous disorder in June 1978. The veteran's claim is pending and will be remanded to determine if the earlier anxiety diagnoses were prodromal signs of PTSD, which could affect the effective date for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his service-connected anxiety disorder did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for anxiety reaction, manifested by fine tremor of the fingers, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's anxiety neurosis is no more than 50 percent disabling, confirming and continuing a previous 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claims for hearing loss, nervous disorder, and eye disorder. As such, service connection was denied for all three conditions.