Anxiety decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of anxiety reaction and tachycardia with atrial fibrillation are being remanded to the RO for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing VCAA notice.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis was denied in previous rating decisions. His anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of anxiety disorder and TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD and associated conditions, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety attacks, depression, and panic attacks, may be related to his combat experiences in service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether these conditions are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is related to his in-service combat experience, and tinnitus is service-connected. The claim for left ear hearing loss has been reopened due to new evidence received since the prior final denial.

The veteran's claims for right knee disability, myopia, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the diagnosis of PTSD and determine if it is related to an in-service stressor. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation from August 11, 1999 to October 23, 2006 and denied his claim. For the period from October 24, 2006 to the present, he was awarded a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including head injury, back disability, shoulder disorders, foot injuries, eye disorder, heart disorder, lung disease, psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, asbestosis, COPD, cervical spine disorder, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and loss of teeth are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's current anxiety disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and major depressive disorder. The claim for PTSD is reopened, but its merits are pending.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is not causally or etiologically related to service or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's anxiety neurosis with depressive features is currently rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for an increased evaluation has been granted.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum evaluation available under VA rating criteria. The Board has granted this claim.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for head injury residuals, bilateral pes cavus, and anxiety disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen these claims.