Anxiety decisions — 2012

The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable prior to December 4, 2003, that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD had increased in severity so as to meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue seeking an entitlement to evaluation in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain prior to February 1, 2005 was granted. His initial claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, depression, and social anxiety, was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Veteran is now rated at 20 percent for residuals of left knee injury.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than generalized anxiety disorder, to include PTSD. Therefore, service connection for such disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for several reasons, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claims are related to his anxiety disorder and other psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, finding no evidence of a current disability. The claim for bilateral shin splints was referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, is at least as likely as not incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left foot disability was granted, and he is now receiving the maximum schedular rating available. The Board also granted his claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities and anxiety disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbar myositis. The case is remanded for further development and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, as well as his claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorders has been granted, with a 50% evaluation effective from July 30, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, cognitive changes, and memory loss as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating from February 7, 1992 to May 3, 1992. The Board also granted an earlier effective date of February 7, 1992 for the special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, was incurred as a result of an in-service personal assault. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disorder, or HIV-related illness. The claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and a cervical spine disorder are all pending. The earlier effective date claim for TDIU is also pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a sternoclavicular sprain is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has provided credible evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since service and current disability, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, or difficulty in understanding complex commands.