Anxiety decisions — 2003

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety neurosis, and finds that it was incurred during his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such disorders in service or that they were related to service.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, finding that it now manifests some occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to various symptoms.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, issuance of VCAA notice, and consideration of staged ratings if warranted.

The Board has jurisdiction to address the issue of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a February 1971 rating decision which granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The RO must also adjudicate the claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date than January 4, 1995, for the award of a 100 percent rating for the veteran's service connected anxiety neurosis.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 100 percent, effective November 20, 2003. His herpes progenitalis claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and agoraphobia with panic attacks are related to his service-connected irritable colon syndrome, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for anxiety state psychoneurosis, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected mental illness contributed to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to disease or injury incurred in service. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, NOS, finding that the veteran's symptoms are related to his active service in the Persian Gulf.

The veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder, depressive type with significant anxiety, is currently manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and underactivity. The VA determined that the current disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for PTSD. The residuals of dislocated right arytenoid cartilage and status post laryngeal fracture were also denied as they were not shown to be related to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety state with PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation beyond the current 30 percent rating.

The case is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, including a GAF score. The veteran's anxiety disorder needs to be reassessed and rated.

The Board finds that the service-connected arthritis of the hips and lumbar spine caused or contributed to the veteran's death due to a fall at home, which was the immediate cause of his death.

The veteran's anxiety neurosis and dementia have been evaluated, with the anxiety disorder currently rated at 30 percent. The bilateral pes planus is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected psychophysiologic disorder, which includes anxiety neurosis and back pain, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence shows that the psychiatric symptoms are the dominant aspect of his condition.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar disability results in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, undress himself, or keep himself clean and presentable.