Anxiety decisions — 2004

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder but found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hammertoes. The decision on whether the veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service remains undecided.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected PTSD and concluded that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, but the issue of service connection for PTSD is being remanded to further development.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling from November 18, 1999 to July 13, 2000 and as 50 percent disabling from July 14, 2000. The VA has denied his claims for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues related to the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to October 11, 2001 was granted and he is now rated at 70 percent for his psychiatric disability. From October 11, 2001 onwards, the claim remains pending as no higher rating has been granted.

The veteran's atrioventricular block is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from November 1, 2001.,His adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for an anxiety disorder should be August 28, 1995, as this is the earliest date on which the veteran specifically requested consideration of a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted the veteran an effective date of July 2, 1991 for a 100 percent evaluation for residuals of major depression with anxiety disorder and personality disorder. The case is now remanded to obtain additional VA medical records prior to July 2, 1991, and provide VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records from Orangeburg VA Primary Care Clinic.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD, had its inception during active military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including adjudicating issues of increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation. The issue of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but denied service connection for asbestosis due to asbestos exposure. The decision is based on the evidence of record without further development.

The veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure, which was aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and noting multiple psychiatric diagnoses other than PTSD.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations, including a psychiatric examination by a VA psychiatrist. The appellant's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders (including bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, and agoraphobia) and genitourinary disorders (including frequent urination) will be evaluated based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and his psychiatric symptoms are not related to service. The current diagnoses of anxiety disorder and panic disorder do not meet the criteria for PTSD, which is a requirement for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder were denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors sufficient to cause PTSD.