Anxiety decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety reaction is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's daughter, CLC, is permanently incapable of self-support due to mental or physical defects prior to her 18th birthday and grants recognition as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records and verify any stressors associated with service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The appeal was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant's generalized anxiety disorder warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for alopecia areata and anxiety disorder were denied by the RO. The VA examinations indicated that the veteran has alopecia areata affecting approximately 1.5% of his scalp, with no systemic symptoms or need for systemic therapy. His anxiety disorder is characterized by moderate to severe depressive and anxious symptoms, but does not meet criteria for occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and requesting an addendum from a VA physician regarding whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The veteran's RH insurance claim is being held in abeyance due to pending issues of reopening service connection claims for a functional heart murmur, a psychiatric disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome. The case will be remanded once these issues are resolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) and for an addictive disease, characterized by drug and alcohol abuse. The denial is based on the lack of evidence of a current disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the appellant's service-connected anxiety with depression and PTSD as of November 6, 2000.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 17, 1986 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the June 1989 decision, which denied service connection for the cause of death, was incorrect due to a failure to consider evidence linking alcoholism and drug addiction to the veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current mood and anxiety disorders are service-connected, as they were incurred during his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his generalized anxiety disorder and right wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions from a VA specialist.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any currently diagnosed anxiety disorder, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder originated in, or is otherwise traceable to, military service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected psychotic disorder with anxiety, and a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic migraine headaches. The ratings are effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and memory loss and concentration, finding that there was no direct or presumptive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than 30 percent.

The VA has increased the veteran's rating for his generalized anxiety disorder from 30% to 50%, effective February 15, 2002. The current evaluation reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as difficulty sleeping.