Anxiety decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in both hands and numbness of the bilateral arms and hands, were denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service. The Board found that any current disorders are not related to service or to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Florida Hospital in Lake Placid, Florida, on September 3, 2004 is granted because the treatment was for a serious condition that required immediate attention and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression and anxiety did not manifest in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the January 1949 rating decision that reduced the ratings for service-connected psychiatric disability, changed the name of the respiratory disability, and increased the rating for a left chest disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. Personality disorder was also ruled out as a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a reduction of his rating from 30 percent to non-compensable was found to contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE). As a result, the original 30 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the 10 percent evaluation remains dismissed as moot due to the restoration of the 30 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to this condition has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to service. This includes obtaining a VA examination and seeking additional records from SSA.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a higher 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder (also claimed as associated with Agent Orange exposure). As such, the October 1996 denial of this claim remains final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD that conforms with the DSM-IV criteria. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition that meets the requirements for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records from Fort Sam Houston.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and alcohol dependence, was incurred during his period of active service.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, but denied the claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, hypertension, and hand tremors are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a mixed personality disorder with OCD, anxiety (claimed as nervous condition) is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2004 VA examination and the need to address the presumption of soundness under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1111.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and examination.