Anxiety decisions — 2001

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a left knee disability and found no new and material evidence to support it. The appeal for service connection for anxiety will be addressed in a separate remand action.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 50 percent evaluation for his service-connected dysthymic disorder and an increased rating. The Board will review the evidence to determine if any of these claims are granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, psychosis, anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as an adjustment disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, has been found to be aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. This finding warrants the grant of service connection for the psychiatric disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with dysthymia is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records from SSA.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a compensable evaluation of bipolar disorder and held that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1988 rating decision. The claim for service connection for drug abuse is pending, as it requires additional development.

The VA has determined that the veteran's anxiety reaction, currently rated at 30 percent, does not warrant a higher rating due to moderate impairment in social functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected low back disability and his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his service-connected hypothyroidism with hypertension, atherosclerosis, anxiety, and transient ischemic attacks. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied due to his failure to appear for VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder has been granted, with the effective date being from the date of receipt of the claim in April 1998.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 30 percent, and he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran did not have any pending claims for VA disability compensation benefits at the time of his death, and he had a noncompensable rating for his service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety. The appellant is therefore not entitled to accrued benefits.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, considering his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was increased to a 70 percent evaluation effective January 13, 1998 and he is now rated as totally disabled.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or sufficient medical records supporting his allegations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD, which was currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The VA has denied the appellant's requests for increased evaluations for his right ear hearing loss and anxiety reaction, but granted a higher rating for his service-connected right ankle disability. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) request was also denied.,The current ratings for the appellant's service-connected conditions are appropriate given the severity of his disabilities and their impact on his employment.