Anxiety decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for an extension of the temporary total disability rating beyond February 29, 2004 was denied as there is no provision in the regulations allowing such a period beyond one year following treatment.,The veteran's claim for increased evaluation for residuals of right TKA was also denied as his condition had improved and did not require convalescence beyond the initial one-year period.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an innocently acquired psychiatric disability to include any manifested by PTSD due to service. The stressors claimed were not verified, and there was no evidence of combat participation.

The Board denied the veteran's earlier claim for a TDIU in January 1991. The evidence of record prior to March 25, 1991, did not show that the veteran was precluded from all forms of gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as she can perform daily activities without assistance and does not require permanent confinement to her home.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and affording a new examination. The veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his in-service stressor(s).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety not otherwise specified. The in-service stressor was not verified, and there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination. The veteran's service connection claims are also being reviewed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no competent diagnosis of PTSD and the veteran did not have a specific stressor event.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety reaction warrants a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the TDIU award should be June 24, 1997, as this is when the veteran submitted evidence indicating he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety state (history of post-traumatic stress disorder) contributed substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

Service connection was not granted for an anxiety disorder due to overlap with PTSD. Increased ratings were denied for lumbar strain, patellofemoral pain syndromes of both knees, and hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board denied all claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a link between the claimed conditions and military service, or as undiagnosed illnesses related to service.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder does not render him helpless or permanently bedridden, and he is able to perform most of his daily personal needs without regular assistance from others.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disability attributable to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional records from SSA and OPM, including medical records and administrative decisions. The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 23, 1998 for a 100 percent disability evaluation for head trauma with dizziness, headaches, and anxiety remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.,The veteran has a permanent loss of use of one hand (left), meeting criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only.