Anxiety decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, warranting a 30% evaluation for this disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches due to head trauma do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as there is no evidence of multi-infarct dementia. The current 10 percent rating remains in effect.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal for his claim of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The RO's January 1999 decision denying memory loss symptoms as a chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness is final. New evidence received since the January 1999 decision supports reopening this claim, but does not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability did not have its onset during active service and is not related to any disease or injury in service. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychological disorder did not result from treatment with LSD-25 by VA in 1967, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder that had its origins during service or for many years thereafter.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent from September 27, 1995 to January 9, 1997 and at 70 percent since January 10, 1997.,PTSD disability was granted effective August 1, 2004.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and thus, service connection cannot be established. The veteran's claims are denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder, which is service-connected and rated at 30 percent, does not warrant an increased evaluation due to his severe Alzheimer's dementia.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's current psychiatric disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic acquired psychiatric disability in service and denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance by another person or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to perform self-care functions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the alleged stressors in service or a link between current psychiatric conditions and service. For the hearing loss claim, the Board also noted that there is no medical evidence showing the veteran's current hearing impairment met the threshold criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are linked to in-service stressors. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The veteran's claims for prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The veteran's service-connected disability does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder not otherwise specified has been productive of difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships since December 17, 2001. Since April 15, 2003, the condition has resulted in total occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing and determining if the veteran wishes to designate a representative.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, can be decided. The veteran's reserve service and active duty records need to be verified, as well as his stressors and medical history.