Anxiety decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and there is no evidence of a current diagnosis for this condition. The veteran's service records do show treatment for anxiety and depression, which are consistent with his claimed generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. Service connection is granted for these conditions as they are related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed many years after service, is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (subthreshold PTSD), moderate dysthymic disorder does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, effective from October 14, 2002.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder mixed with anxiety and depressed mood. The VA examiner concluded that this condition is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's service. Service connection was granted for this condition. However, service connection for Hepatitis C remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking any acquired psychiatric disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his generalized anxiety disorder with depression has been denied, and the Board is remanding the case to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for either the claimed psychiatric disability other than anxiety disorder or the left eye disability.

The Board found that the veteran's complaints of a speech impediment may be related to facial nerve damage from his in-service motor vehicle accident. However, service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a link to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected anxiety disorder, NOS, and dysthymic disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no diagnosis of PTSD in the record.,The Board also denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 13, 2005, for TDIU because he did not meet the criteria for unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing a VCAA compliant letter regarding duties of notice and assistance, obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric examination to establish evidence for PTSD, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for visual loss, headaches, and PTSD/anxiety disorder. The decision also addressed issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and PTSD/anxiety disorder, which were remanded.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently rated at 100 percent, effective May 27, 2003. The Board has determined that the social and occupational impairment from this disability more nearly approximates total than deficiencies in most areas.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of entitlement to service connection for pneumonia, atrial fibrillation and hypertension during a hearing before the Board. The case is dismissed as these issues are no longer part of the appeal.

The veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is found to be caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and is granting it, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies, including a lack of proper VCAA notice and an incomplete statement of the case (SOC) for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim for reopening his psychiatric disorder is also pending.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the veteran's current anxiety, agoraphobia, and mental illness are not related to her military service.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and insufficient medical evidence to link current conditions to service. The claims for major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD were denied.