Anxiety decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder. The claim will be further developed by obtaining service personnel records, verifying alleged stressors, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his anxiety neurosis and duodenal ulcer.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, psychiatric disability (anxiety and nervousness), skin disability, respiratory disability, neurological disability, bilateral femoral epicondylitis, insomnia, and gastritis.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the May 2004 rating decision. The Board found that a higher initial rating is not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is not manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, now diagnosed as anxiety-depression reaction with bipolar disorder. The issue of whether he had such a condition in service and if it is related to military service remains under consideration.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The claim for a TDIU has also been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and defective vision, exotropia, and amblyopia exanopsia (claimed as a right eye condition). The decision is based on the lack of new and material evidence to reopen the claim for defective vision, exotropia, and amblyopia exanopsia. Service connection for anxiety disorder was not granted due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of Meniere's disease has been denied. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residual imbalance status-post right ear tympanotomy with labyrinthotomy and dexamethosone perfusion, and transcanal underlay tympanoplasty remains pending as the Veteran was granted a 10% evaluation effective the day following separation from service. The claims for service connection of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder and differentiate between disability due to service and other causes.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, resulting in a 30 percent evaluation effective January 22, 2007.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction with personality disorder is rated at 50 percent, reflecting moderate symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder from March 27, 2006 was rated at a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's skin disorders are diagnosed as tinea versicolor and tinea pedis, which were not related to service. The claims for anemia and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder) have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder were denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD, the Veteran's current anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are not related to active service, and VA has done everything reasonably possible to notify and assist the claimant.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction with depressive elements is productive of occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with agoraphobia and depressive symptoms is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 6, 2008. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, spinal stenosis and anterolisthesis. The appellant's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is also found to be related to his service-connected condition. Service connection was denied for an increased rating for residuals of injury to the fourth finger and index finger of the left hand.