Anxiety decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder, claimed as PTSD, was denied because there is no evidence of a relationship between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of anxiety disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder are related to his service. The Veteran experienced chronic symptoms of depression and anxiety during service and continues to experience these conditions post-service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is manifested by very mild social and occupational impairment, resulting in a GAF score of 70. The VA has granted service connection for this condition but denied any higher initial rating.

The Veteran's GAD is rated at 50 percent since September 13, 2003, effective from the date of his separation from active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, which was service-connected, likely caused or aggravated his heart condition and ultimately led to his death. The cause of death is therefore considered a direct result of service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD or other psychiatric disabilities as a result of service. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred for private ambulance travel on December 7, 2005. The Board has determined that the claim must be remanded to obtain necessary records and determine whether the Veteran was enrolled in the VA health care system at the time of the emergency treatment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death from colon cancer.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease of L5-S1.

The Veteran's dementia and anxiety disorder due to hypertensive and hypoxic episode is currently rated at 50 percent, but he contends for a higher rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's dysthymia and anxiety have been rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on his disability picture.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent since June 20, 2002. Since February 18, 2004, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a clarification of the impact of his service-connected anxiety disorder on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and anxiety disorder were granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a 40 percent rating effective September 23, 2006. The anxiety disorder received a separate 10 percent rating from October 17, 2003 to December 8, 2006.