Anxiety decisions — 2002

The VA has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety and PTSD do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, based on their current manifestations.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that his anxiety neurosis did not contribute substantially or materially to his acute myocardial infarction.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, characterized as anxiety neurosis and depression, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board has now granted a higher rating to 70 percent.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, characterized as variously anxiety reaction, mixed psychoneurosis, and paranoid schizophrenia, is currently in remission and does not interfere with occupational or social functioning. The VA examiner found no evidence of current symptoms that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety disorder, previously diagnosed as psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction, is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent. The VA also determined that his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is denied.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's current psychiatric disabilities to his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, anal fistula, and anxiety neurosis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction in April 1983. The veteran is now challenging this decision on the grounds that it was clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, a psychiatric disorder, and impotence. The claim for an increased rating for arterial hypertension was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new notice and evidence development provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, and the appellant is scheduled for a personal hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder warrants a 30 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding it was aggravated by the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is also granted.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to September 4, 1998 due to definite social and industrial impairment. His varicose veins were rated at 20 percent on and after January 11, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence and clear and unmistakable evidence regarding preexisting conditions.

The service-connected anxiety reaction did not cause the veteran's death, and Alzheimer's disease is considered a contributory cause of death.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 12, 1996, for a 100 percent disability evaluation for schizophrenic reaction with anxiety is denied.

The Board granted an effective date of April 22, 1996 for the grant of service connection for dysthymic disorder with anxiety.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent from February 26, 1993 until April 30, 1999. Since May 1, 1999, the rating has been reduced to 30 percent.