Anxiety decisions — 2005

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and denied service connection for post-traumatic neurosis/conversion hysteria, chronic depression, and anxiety disorder.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection as his psychiatric disorder was not shown to be incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The veteran's May to November 1991 hospitalization did not involve treatment for his service-connected IBS, and he was treated for other conditions during this period. Therefore, the claim is denied as no service-connected disorder required in excess of 21 days of his hospitalization.

The veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety neurosis with depressive features, is productive of incapacitating symptoms resulting in total occupational and social impairment. The Board has assigned a 100 percent evaluation for the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, the highest possible schedular level.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, including PTSD, finding that the veteran's current symptoms are linked to his in-service stressors and treatment.

The Board found that the veteran's conditions, including weakness and lack of energy, memory loss, insomnia, sore muscles, joint aches, skin disability (intertrigo and tinea cruris), and psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the veteran's PTSD, dementia, and whether any pre-existing mental disorder is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a 70% rating based on occupational and social impairment, as his symptoms do not include suicidal ideation or obsessional rituals.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected skull fracture residuals, including cognitive problems, anxiety, loss of memory, and headaches. The VA has ordered further examinations to determine the exact nature and extent of these residuals.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, insomnia, TMJ, dark urine disorder, Chlamydia, and headaches on a direct basis. The skin disorder was not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety reaction, which is currently rated at 50 percent, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent as required by Diagnostic Code 9400. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as hopelessness, panic attacks about once or twice a month, short-term memory loss, and disturbance of mood with anxiety, depression, and irritability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and considering whether an extra-schedular rating under 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(1) should be considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than the current 50 percent assigned, based on his overall functioning and symptomatology.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 8, 1991 was denied as his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions, and the case is now pending further development.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent, but the RO denied an increased rating.,His anxiety disorder was not evaluated as compensable.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and low back disability were denied. The claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was granted, with the combined rating now at 20 percent.