Anxiety decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and prolapsed hemorrhoids did not cause his death. The Board finds that neither of these conditions contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board found no evidence of an innocently acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to disease or injury incurred in service. The veteran's current anxiety disorder is not shown to have had its clinical onset during service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety disorder did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and chronic dysthymic disorder, but denied service connection for shaking hands.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and lumbosacral strain, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for generalized anxiety disorder and denying both issues.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's service-connected conditions to his death, and denied both claims for service connection for cause of death and eligibility for Chapter 35 educational assistance.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no direct evidence linking any current psychiatric disorders to service.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma, and he is granted a higher rating for his asthma. The earlier effective date claim for TDIU remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the veteran's somatization disorder with generalized anxiety disorder warrants a 50 percent evaluation, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that no competent clinical findings or diagnosis of anxiety syndrome were shown during service and that a psychosis was not shown within the initial postservice year.

The veteran's anxiety neurosis and related conditions have been rated at 70 percent since November 1980, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting moderate social and industrial impairment.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected anxiety condition, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 2, 1999 for a 70% disability evaluation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with depressive features and Panic Disorder without agoraphobia.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD with anxiety is a result of his Vietnam service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, and anxiety. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder. The claim is now reopened.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no competent evidence of a nexus between the current diagnosis and service.