Anxiety decisions — 2008

The VA denied an increased rating for anxiety reaction, finding that the disability did not meet criteria warranting a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his anxiety disorder is not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder characterized as anxiety, not otherwise specified, due to traumatic combat-related events during active military service.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected anxiety disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder. The case has been remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development including a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of anxiety, GERD, or Raynaud's Syndrome and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and left testicle disability, but granted a 10% rating for the left testicle disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for rectal bleeding, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disability(ies), anxiety disorder, tailbone pain, and hernia. The appeals were based on new evidence not previously considered by VA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the appellant meets the criteria for special monthly death pension based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A), and providing proper VCAA notice regarding her income limitations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty regarding whether the appellant's current psychiatric disorders are service-related.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for anxiety disorder. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking the veteran's current PTSD to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD. However, further development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors before adjudicating the underlying merits of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for anxiety neurosis and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining an opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, effective June 22, 2006. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions related to his military service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied higher initial ratings for right ear disability, tinea versicolor, and anxiety state. The veteran's left eye condition was not granted service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing. The specific issues of service connection and evaluation remain unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety, finding that his current diagnosis of alcohol dependence with episodes of depressed and anxious mood was in remission and directly due to and exacerbated by his alcohol abuse (including during service).

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder, which he claims has worsened since the last examination. He also asserts that there are new records available from the Pensacola VA and Tribal Health Center supporting his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric conditions are not related to his active duty service, but rather due to intentional misconduct. The claim for service connection was denied.