Anxiety decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further investigation is needed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is established, granting her special monthly pension based on this need.

The veteran's claim for service connection for general anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for generalized anxiety disorder and gastric ulcer disease were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The veteran's hypertension was not service-connected, but his anxiety disorder with PTSD was granted a 10% evaluation prior to April 22, 2002. The current evaluation for the combined condition of anxiety disorder and PTSD remains denied.

The veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. However, his claims for higher initial evaluations of his right eye condition and chronic headaches were denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has found that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is service connected, but her hypertension was not shown to be related to service. The claims for increased evaluations of the service-connected foot callus and left ankle disorders are remanded.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD. The appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further verification of his National Guard service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board finds that the veteran's anxiety and depression are related to service, including his episodes of enuresis shortly after enlistment. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder characterized as anxiety and depression is granted.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a 50 percent rating is warranted. The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder was evaluated as 70 percent disabling for the period November 20, 1996 to February 1, 2005.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks since April 13, 2004. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's current diagnosis of depression is unrelated to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed psychiatric, hearing loss, and neurological conditions.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for increased evaluation of renal calculi and reopening of the anxiety reaction claim are moot.

The veteran's appeal for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Mease Countryside Hospital on February 11, 2004 was denied because the treatment did not constitute a medical emergency and VA facilities were available to provide necessary care.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, recurrent major depressive disorder, and dysthymia, are related to her experiences during service. The appeal is granted.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.