Anxiety decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, and found that his anxiety disorder and/or personality disorder are not related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder warrants a 50 percent evaluation, and his skin cancer is secondary to sun exposure. The effective date for these determinations is not specified.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected chorioretinitis, anxiety reaction, and incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups on the left have been granted. The evaluation for incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups on the left has been increased to 40 percent since April 1999.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected dysthymic reaction with generalized anxiety state did not render him unemployable prior to May 22, 2001. As a result, an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety with depressive features and alcoholism did not warrant an increased evaluation, nor did it meet the criteria for a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disability, characterized by residuals of a cerebral concussion and anxiety neurosis, warrants an increased evaluation to 30 percent. The current 10 percent rating is considered appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.

The veteran's disabilities, including anxiety neurosis with dizzy spells and defective vision, require the aid and attendance of another person to protect him from daily hazards. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly pension at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder warrants a 100 percent schedular disability rating due to severe impairment in thought processes, communication, social functioning, and industrial capacity.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is manifested by excessive anxiety and worry, chronic feelings of restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, confusion, sleep disturbance, headaches and weakness. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 50 percent rating have been met.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his generalized anxiety disorder, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, assigning him a 30 percent rating effective March 16, 1993.

The veteran's anxiety reaction with conversion features was manifested by nightmares, symptoms of anxiety and irritability, and moderate difficulties in social and occupational functioning. The VA determined that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA has granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis anxiety disorder, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 100 percent disability rating for anxiety reaction, effectively resolving the veteran's appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety reaction with carotid sinus syncope did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent prior to September 14, 1987. However, due to clear and unmistakable error in the December 1987, January 1988, and March 1988 rating decisions, the veteran's claim for an increased rating between September 14, 1987 and November 1, 1992 was reviewed. The Board determined that a higher rating could not be granted based on the evidence before them.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in reducing the veteran's rating for his psychiatric disability from 30 percent to 10 percent, as supported by evidence of improvement.

The veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 10 percent since April 1996, with no changes in rating during the appeal period.

The veteran's conditions, including his heart disease, cataracts, anxiety and fatigue, knee problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, and COPD, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.