Anxiety decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, nervous condition (mental health), organic brain syndrome and dementia, and left shoulder disability were all denied. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, including dysthymic disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, was incurred during active service. The residuals of left wrist injury are proximately due to or the result of the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. Similarly, the veteran's left hand disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence and procedural issues.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is remanded due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records. A new VA examination is required, along with obtaining any additional pertinent treatment records.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's anxiety disorder, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder was denied. The initial rating of 30 percent prior to September 18, 2006, and a subsequent increase to 50 percent effective September 18, 2006, were both denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran currently has PTSD and whether his bipolar disorder is related to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, acute myocardial infarction, was not caused by or related to his service-connected generalized anxiety neurosis. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder, as manifested by a GAF score of 45 and symptoms such as social isolation, depression, and occasional panic attacks, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran is mentally competent for VA benefit purposes, despite suffering from a disabling psychiatric disorder and the residuals of a cerebrovascular accident.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records, unverified stressors, and need for a VA examination. The veteran's claims for anxiety/depression and PTSD are pending.

The veteran's PTSD results in significant symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares, and a sense of hopelessness. The Board has determined that the disability warrants an initial rating of 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD with anxiety reaction does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity or deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The veteran seeks service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities including PTSD, anxiety, and depressive disorder. The Board has determined that the matter requires further development to verify in-service stressors and obtain clarification of the nature of her psychiatric symptoms during service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder did not contribute to his death from pneumonia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the veteran's service-connected conditions. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is currently manifested by occasional passive suicidal ideation, adequate hygiene, good communication, full orientation to person, time, and place, and difficulty participating in social activities. The Board finds that the criteria for an increased evaluation for service-connected anxiety disorder are not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to recent contentions raised by the veteran and his representative, requiring additional evidentiary development. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and tinnitus. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder, is related to his service.