Anxiety decisions — 2003

The veteran's hypertension was found to be permanently aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, and the Board granted service connection for this aggravation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, was incurred in service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was previously granted an increased rating of 50 percent. The current appeal is about seeking a higher evaluation for his anxiety disorder with conversion features, which is considered under the 'direct' service connection theory.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is manifested by symptoms causing occupational and social impairment, warranting a 30 percent schedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current anxiety disorder is service-connected, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The decision also notes conflicting diagnoses of personality disorders in service but finds a reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the veteran regarding his anxiety disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not sufficient to produce unemployability. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected anxiety reaction on his ability to work.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic psychiatric disorder, including an anxiety disorder and panic attacks, finding that his claims were not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including general anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Board granted an effective date of January 20, 2001 for the grant of service connection for depression with anxiety as secondary to service-connected paroxysmal atrial tachycardia and TDIU.

The Board denied the claim for benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a cerebrovascular accident as a result of left lower extremity fracture surgery performed at a VA medical facility in November 1994, and also denied the other two issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder present and whether it is related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's fatigue, headaches and joint pain are likely due to an undiagnosed illness incurred during his service in the Persian Gulf War. The benefit of doubt was extended to the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, began during his active duty. The condition was incurred in service based on direct evidence rather than through a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and uncorroborated stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's request for attorney fees based on grants of service connection for anxiety as secondary to a right brachial plexus injury and entitlement to TDIU. The issues were not part of an underlying issue that was appealed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety reaction is being remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left gunshot wound (gsw) consisting of sural nerve injury was denied. The claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder is referred to the RO for further action.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder, anxiety, major depression, headaches, or allergic rhinitis during service. The veteran's current conditions are not linked to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder and granted it. The claim for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to procedural issues.,Service connection for an anxiety disorder is established as a result of continuity of symptoms since discharge from active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed dysthymic disorder and anxiety disorder were incurred in service, and grants service connection for these conditions.