Anxiety decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new and material evidence received since the October 1999 decision, reopening the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The right knee rating issue is also being remanded.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, and general anxiety disorder was denied by the RO.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's anxiety disorder, effective May 31, 2005. The evidence shows significant but not severe occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and a compensable disability rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis. The veteran's service-connected conditions were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on their current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability related to his active duty for training, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability and anxiety disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder) are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and PTSD, finding that his anxiety is not related to his service-connected prostatitis. The issue of CUE in the April 26, 1996 rating decision was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected left radius and ulna fractures have resulted in ankylosis of the elbow joint, preventing pronation and supination. The RO has granted a 50 percent rating for this condition.

The veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective June 1, 2004 based on the increase in severity of his service-connected conditions and to resolve reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing additional VCAA notice. The veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety/panic attacks and PTSD are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection because there was no evidence of in-service aggravation of a pre-existing anxiety disorder. The new evidence submitted since the September 1981 decision did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and does not present a reasonable possibility of substantiating the veteran's claim.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to December 10, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, claiming it as depression, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety state with cardiovascular somatization reaction (also claimed as a heart condition) and lordosis. As such, both claims remain denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected atypical anxiety disorder with depressive features warrants a 30 percent disability evaluation, reflecting an improvement in his symptoms and functioning.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with PTSD and foot disorders have rendered him unemployable, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective November 8, 2001.

The veteran's appeal from the November 1982 rating decision is still pending, and his claim for an increased rating of anxiety reaction remains in appellate status.

The VA has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder with features of PTSD warrants a 30 percent disability evaluation, which is the current rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder (previously anxiety reaction) symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating, granting an increased rating from 50 to 70 percent.