Anxiety decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that there is no evidence to support his claims for depression and anxiety. The appeals were denied.

The veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since August 30, 1945. The VA examiner found that the condition had not worsened and continued to meet criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbar strain. Service connection is granted.,A cervical condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but the veteran currently suffers from a chronic cervical condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran was exposed to asbestos during service and whether his current lung disorders and psychological conditions are related to that exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's condition prior to transfer from North Collier Hospital was emergent, and that transferring him to Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment was reasonable given the risk of delay. As a result, reimbursement for non-authorized emergency medical care is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left ankle injury and anxiety disorder, each rated at 10 percent. The initial disability ratings have been maintained.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's in-service exposure to fuel fumes. The claims for COPD and a stomach condition are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective July 7, 2005. Prior to this date, he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied an increased rating for anxiety reaction with tinnitus aurium in June 29, 1960. The decision is final and the veteran cannot revise it on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, but denied it on the merits.,There is no evidence that the veteran's current psychiatric condition had its onset during his period of active service or was caused by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, effective April 15, 2002. The condition causes significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including multiple sexual assaults by superior officers, have not been verified and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis and depression with anxiety, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, major depression, social anxiety disorder, substance induced mood disorder, mood disorder and alcohol related mood disorder, did not begin in or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder due to lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed events.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current undifferentiated somatoform disorder and anxiety disorder are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of a depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, or left ankle disorder. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his unemployability solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities, particularly his asthma.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code is also denied.