Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and tinnitus. The Veteran's experiences during his tours in Iraq are found to be consistent with 'fear of hostile military or terrorist activity' as defined by VA regulations, thus meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's effective date for a 40 percent rating for his left arm disability, TDIU, and DEA benefits is set to January 22, 2007.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder, is granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service. The claim for prostate cancer is remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking his current anxiety disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, schedule a VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder, and address the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorders have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for akathisia and ataxia, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claimant is also entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to treatment in a VA facility.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is at least as likely as not related to his service or a pre-existing condition. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with anxiety reaction and other conditions, contributed to his death. The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks has been rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The claim for service connection for GERD secondary to his anxiety disorder was granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder were granted service connection, with a rating of 50 percent from April 20, 2006 to May 31, 2010, and increased to 70 percent since June 1, 2010.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features is currently rated at 70 percent effective July 20, 2011. The disability causes significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current personality disorder is a congenital or developmental defect and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim was not granted as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA medical opinion to address service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with effective dates set at November 30, 2012.