Anxiety decisions — 2008

The veteran's post-operative right inguinal hernia repair does not have current residuals.,There is no evidence of PTSD or ADD in service, and the VA treatment records do not support a diagnosis of these conditions. The anxiety disorder was diagnosed after separation from service.,The veteran has bilateral hearing loss that began 45 to 50 years prior to his first complaint, but there is no evidence of noise exposure during service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent disabling with additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent, nor was he shown to be substantially confined to his home by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 27, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including intermittent explosive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder, are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction. The veteran is also being asked to provide information about any other healthcare providers who have treated his sleep disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and denied it due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depression and Anxiety Disorder, is remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder and depression with insomnia are not related to service, resulting in a denial of these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for obsessive compulsive and generalized anxiety disorder, but has determined that new evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via video conference. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, remains on appeal.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, finding that his symptoms did not warrant such an increase.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and adjudicating the claim for service connection for tremors as a separate issue from anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression, anxiety, a sleep disorder, diarrhea, and memory loss as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The other conditions are not found to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional information about the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and reviewing his personnel records. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss and seminoma of the left testicle are service-connected. The anxiety disorder/PTSD claim is granted with a rating in excess of 30 percent, while the right ear hearing loss disability remains at a non-compensable level.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and entitlement to non-service-connected death pension due to lack of evidence linking any service-connected conditions to his death.

The Board denied all of the veteran's claims for service connection, finding that none of his claimed disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility due to lack of prior authorization from VA, and because the treatment was not for an emergency situation.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety disorder/major depressive disorder, back disorder, and COPD/emphysema as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service event that could be linked to these conditions.