Anxiety decisions — 2007

The veteran's PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and post-operative total right hip replacement are all rated as they currently stand. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.

The VA has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder and assigned a 30 percent initial evaluation, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA psychiatric examination reports.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his left shoulder disability remains at 10 percent. The effective date for these ratings has not been determined.

The veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are granted a rating of 20 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded to determine its etiology and relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms are indicative of no greater occupational and social impairment than as due to moderate symptoms with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorders are unrelated to his period of service or any incident therein. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current skin condition, and therefore service connection for a skin disorder is denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of an anxiety disorder related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back disorder and anxiety/depression are not related to her active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, effective from May 1, 1985, to January 30, 1989. The veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and SSA records.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an anxiety disorder that is attributable to his active military service and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging a psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his alleged sexual assault during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis for any of the claimed conditions (skin condition, anxiety, chest pain, and eye condition) and these conditions are not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar paravertebral spasm is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if service connection can be established for anxiety and depression, and whether TDIU is warranted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disorder, which he claims is related to his service-connected hepatitis C. The issue of overpayment of pension benefits will be addressed in a separate statement of the case.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected anxiety neurosis with depressive features is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence linking them to military service.