Anxiety decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 1, 2005 for TDIU was denied as the earliest ascertainable date of increased disability was February 1, 2005.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 1, 2005 for DEA eligibility was denied as he did not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability prior to that date.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, suicidal behavior, depression, and PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to peptic ulcer disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for anxiety disorder and a respiratory disorder, both claimed as due to undiagnosed illness. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for his bilateral pes planus with arch pain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder. The AOJ must obtain any relevant medical records from the Kansas City VAMC, Columbia VA facility, and private care providers. They are also required to seek verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, Generalized Social Phobia (previously rated as Chronic Anxiety Psychoneurosis), is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, anxiety, agoraphobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and related conditions were denied as his account of an in-service assault was deemed not credible, leading to a lack of evidence supporting the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's condition had improved from severe to moderate, and thus a reduction in his disability rating from 30% to 10% was appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and evidence.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and assistance of another person has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly pension at the aid and attendance rate. However, his mental competency status remains unclear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disability have been reopened. The evidence received since the April 1994 denial includes new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate each claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and an earlier effective date for anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. His claim for a higher evaluation for anxiety disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder are related to his military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further development and re-adjudication due to issues with the classification of the issues on appeal, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of psychiatric symptoms during service and a need for an examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, was incurred in active service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, depressive disorder with PTSD and PTSD. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent under Diagnostic Code 9411.