Anxiety decisions — 2006

The Board determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder, but it is not granted as the evidence does not establish a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depressive and generalized anxiety disorders, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his exposure to trioctyl phosphate during service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of lipomas due to insufficient development of evidence.

The veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The RO has granted an increased evaluation for this condition.

The veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than January 27, 1989 for the award of a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded for scheduling a videoconference Board hearing at the RO.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a left wrist condition, and determined that headaches did not result from military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the VA examiner found that at least part of his psychiatric impairment was related to service. The diagnosis of PTSD is accepted based on supportive lay statements and medical opinions.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol dependency in full remission is being remanded due to the need for further evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board denied the DIC claim and the CUE claim, finding that the veteran did not meet the duration requirements for a total disability rating under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder, shortness of breath, and anxiety, paranoia, blackouts, and nervousness as due to an undiagnosed illness. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature of the veteran's psychiatric and respiratory disabilities.

The veteran's anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, as evidenced by his workaholic tendencies and lack of motivation since discharge from service. His symptoms included panic attacks, short-term memory impairment, and depression.,Since April 10, 2005, the veteran's depressive disorder has caused significant occupational and social impairment, including difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostatitis and anxiety have been denied. The VA has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his prostatitis, either under the old or new schedular criteria. For anxiety, he is currently rated at 30 percent from December 10, 1991 to March 23, 2006 and no higher than 30 percent since March 24, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing a statement of the case on the earlier effective date for service connection and considering any additional evidence received since the November 2003 statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran currently has PTSD and whether it is related to service.