Anxiety decisions — 2006

The veteran's psychophysiological disorder, with a primary anxiety component and gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal components, is totally incapacitating and the Board has assigned a 100 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder, depressed type with anxiety warrants a 100 percent evaluation based on her current level of disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation of his service-connected scar, right index finger, proximal interphalangeal joint, medial aspect; service connection for myocardial infarction and anxiety; and service connection for gouty arthritis. The medical evidence did not show that these conditions were related to military service or manifested within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction is severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, generalized anxiety disorder with chronic dysthymia and hypertension, do not have a link to active service.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression, assigning a 50 percent disability rating effective from January 4, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. The veteran's reported awards indicative of combat are being verified, as well as his claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety reaction does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating beyond 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depressive features was found to have primarily manifested by subjective complaints of anxiousness and a depressed mood, without significant occupational or social impairment prior to March 6, 2000. For the period commencing March 6, 2000, the disability continued to be characterized by such symptoms as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, and unprovoked irritability with periods of violence.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression, were not incurred in or aggravated during active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, and depression were denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The VA examinations did not find a diagnosis of PTSD based on the DSM-IV criteria.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder do not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as they result in some occupational and social impairment but no deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for a more current VA psychiatric examination.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's anxiety disorder with conversion disorder effective as of March 30, 2000.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder, a psychiatric disability, was incurred during service and is granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder and a claim for increased rating for left ankle injury. The appellant's anxiety disorder was not shown during service or related to her service-connected conditions, while the left ankle condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.