Anxiety decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected depressive and anxiety disorder was denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for anxiety neurosis, effective from the date of the initial reduction. The claim for entitlement to total rating for compensation purposes based upon individual unemployability is moot as the veteran's disability rating was restored.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen and established service connection for a psychiatric disorder, characterized as depression and anxiety neurosis. However, further development is needed due to insufficient evidence regarding the extent of functional impairment caused by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the veteran for appropriate VA examinations, and readjudicating his claim.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected anxiety reaction with PTSD is granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent. The issue of reopening the tinnitus claim due to new evidence is also resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the right wrist and denied his claim for service connection. The issue regarding psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, is pending.

The veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability including panic disorder, chronic depressive disorder, and chronic anxiety reaction were denied as there is no competent evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis, effective from August 17, 2002.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his anxiety neurosis, citing insufficient evidence to determine the degree of impairment due to this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration, including considering new evidence not previously considered by the RO. The veteran will be scheduled for a hearing before a traveling Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for generalized anxiety disorder, postoperative residuals of acromioclavicular dislocation of the left shoulder, and postoperative residuals of right shoulder separation have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for low back injury with lumbosacral strain has also been granted.

The veteran's anxiety disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, is currently evaluated at a 30 percent rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in his disability evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder meets the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating, granting his claim.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of June 1, 1999, for DIC benefits granted in her reopened claim. The appeal was based on a liberalizing law that became effective in 1993 and assigned an effective date more than one year after its enactment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a field examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA mental disorders examination and considering whether 'staged ratings' are appropriate.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD and concluded that the veteran's anxiety and depression are not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.