Anxiety decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records, including VA hospital records. A new examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors. The issue of whether other psychiatric disorders are related to service remains pending.

The Board has determined that a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's not otherwise specified anxiety disorder is granted, as it meets the criteria for such an evaluation.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and sensory motor deficits of both lower extremities, with a combined disability rating of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, but not higher. The veteran is also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 40% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain, effective from an unspecified date. The claim of entitlement to increased ratings for dermatitis and anxiety disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for further development due to the need to verify an in-service stressor related to PTSD and to consider whether the verified stressor is sufficient to produce post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for PTSD or anxiety disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a 30% rating, but not higher. The skin disorder was rated as 30%, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tearing and loss of peripheral vision of the right eye, anxiety disorder secondary to service-connected disability, peroneal neuropathy of the right lower extremity, a right hip disorder, and low back disorder are all denied. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left foot fracture is granted.

The veteran's service-connected muscle contraction headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and his right knee disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further medical evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture to the ring finger of the left hand was granted, with a final effective date set at March 31, 1998. The claim for service connection for headaches and increased ratings for anxiety neurosis were denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. His generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, while his pulmonary sarcoidosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with major depression warrants a 70 percent rating, reflecting severe occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD causes occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and anxiety disorder were denied in June 1983 and August 1998 respectively. The RO did not receive substantive appeals within one year of these decisions.