Anxiety decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and thus failing to establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder including PTSD, finding that the veteran engaged in combat and had a credible inservice stressor.

The veteran died of cellular hypoxia due to aspiration pneumonia, with multiple cerebrovascular accidents as the underlying cause. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and requesting a VA physician's opinion on whether any disease that caused or contributed to death was related to military service or PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbance, headaches, skin condition, and gastrointestinal problems, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection. The diagnoses provided by VA medical providers indicated that these conditions are related to undiagnosed illnesses or general anxiety.

The veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety state is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration, including compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act (VCAA). The case will be returned to the Board after additional evidence has been obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA medical records. The veteran's claim for service connection for depression, anxiety, and insomnia will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for coronary artery disease resulting from a VA procedure and service connection for an anxiety disorder/major depression secondary to his heart condition. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations, is necessary before these claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any mental disorders found, including their onset and whether they are related to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a rating of 50 percent, which is currently in effect.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, or bilateral hearing loss due to service. The claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as he did not sustain an injury to a lung during VA surgery and hospitalization in February 2001, nor did he develop additional psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of depression and anxiety attacks were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The issue of diabetes mellitus is being remanded.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development to ensure compliance with the notice and duty-to-assist provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a February 1971 rating decision which granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder is also being remanded to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's diagnosed mental disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and anxiety/stress disorder, as well as reopening the claim of right knee disorder. The veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, effective as of the date of this decision.