Anxiety decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety and dysthymic disorders originated during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current urinary system disorder and psychological disorder.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment was denied due to the lack of evidence showing loss or permanent impairment of use of one or both feet or hands, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes.

The Board denied the reduction of compensation benefits due to incarceration for a felony conviction, as the law requires such reductions when a veteran is incarcerated following a felony conviction.

The veteran's anxiety reaction is currently rated at 30 percent, effective May 3, 2000. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Board denied reimbursement or payment by VA for unauthorized medical expenses incurred in connection with the appellant's treatment at a private hospital in Gainesville, Florida from August 22 to September 1, 1993. The appeal is based on the appellant's participation in a vocational rehabilitation program and the presence of an unoccupied bed at the nearby VA facility.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the appellant's anxiety disorder, effective from May 8, 2000. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability evaluation for compensation purposes based upon individual unemployability is still pending.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back condition and anxiety reaction, are of such severity that they significantly interfere with his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The cause of the veteran's death was not related to his service-connected skin condition and anxiety neurosis.,There is no evidence that the veteran's cardiovascular disease was caused by or contributed substantially to his death.

The veteran committed suicide due to mental unsoundness associated with his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, and the Board grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has revised the decision to grant service connection for a nervous disorder, specifically an anxiety reaction, due to CUE in the original decision.

The veteran's claim for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, high blood pressure with coronary artery disease, left foot fracture residuals, and hiatal hernia was denied as the disabilities are not shown to be directly related to his military service. The RO assigned a combined rating of 30 percent based on these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted with an effective date of February 11, 2000. The veteran's daughter is also eligible for Dependent's Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent effective February 24, 2000. The RO granted an increased rating for his condition.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the appellant's anxiety disorder, effective March 16, 1992. The claimant is seeking an increased rating for his pulmonary histoplasmosis.

The Board has granted service connection for an organic anxiety disorder and for an undiagnosed illness manifesting as fatigue and forgetfulness. Service connection for headaches was not established.

The VA determined that the appellant's anxiety reaction is currently manifested by depressed mood, chronic anxiety, chronic sleep impairment and very occasional panic attacks. However, these symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are no more than 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is found to have contributed substantially to his death by hastening the progression of his cardiovascular disease.

The Board finds that the veteran's limited occupational and educational backgrounds, as well as his diagnosed psychiatric disorders, render him permanently and totally unemployable. Therefore, a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is granted.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety reaction, effective as of March 2, 2000.