Anxiety decisions — 2006

The Board found that ADHD, also claimed as Anxiety, is not service-connected because it is a developmental defect and there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability superimposed on the developmental defect during service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for psychoneurosis, anxiety type; service connection as secondary to service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety type for TMJ and heart attacks. The RO must ensure that all requested actions have been undertaken and afford the veteran an opportunity to respond.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder, a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety), and a stomach disorder (to include duodenal ulcer disease and a spastic duodenum) as the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have had its onset during his military service in World War II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of the veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions and denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have PTSD, and thus his claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety reaction and an effective date of March 10, 2003. The earlier effective dates for TDIU are also granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his Social Security Administration disability records, as these are necessary for a complete evaluation of his claims.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of October 1989 for a compensable rating for bipolar disorder, with history of anxiety neurosis and drug abuse.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's anxiety disorder, finding that his symptoms did not meet criteria warranting any disability rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder and TDIU based on service-connected disability. The VA found that the symptoms did not meet criteria warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety disorder with panic attacks, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service and whether the veteran was exposed to in-service stressors that could lead to PTSD. The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome are related to his service, with the psychiatric disorder being granted as a result of in-service events. The IBS is also found to be secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 8, 1992 for the award of service connection for anxiety reaction with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The earliest possible effective date is based on the date of receipt of the original claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, is reasonably attributable to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, bowel and anxiety disorders (claimed as ulcerative colitis with mild anxiety state), right total knee arthroplasty, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, bilateral eye condition, and TDIU. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for bowel and anxiety disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to his service-connected conditions.