Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's anxiety disorder (currently identified as PTSD) is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available for a service-connected disability. The symptoms are considered mild and do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently evaluated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and major depression, was not caused or aggravated by his excess, post-angioplasty with aortic dissection cardiovascular disability for which he has already received benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for her psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety reaction, bipolar disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder, was denied as the evidence of record did not show entitlement to this rating prior to May 7, 2004.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the relationship between any current acquired psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity. The Veteran is currently in receipt of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as he has a diagnosis of PTSD due to verified in-service stressors. The claim for service connection for ulcers secondary to PTSD is not addressed and remains pending.

The Board granted service connection for dysthymia (claimed as anxiety and depression) with an effective date of September 11, 2002, which is the date of receipt of the Veteran's formal claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, has been reopened. Her claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects her level of impairment.

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

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The low back disability was also not linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and renal disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining records from his motor vehicle accident during service and SSA/SSI records. Further medical nexus opinions will also be needed to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a February 1972 rating decision was denied. The Board found that the February 1972 rating decision denying service connection for a nervous condition, which included immature personality as a diagnosis, did not contain CUE because it was based on medical opinion at the time indicating that immature personality is a constitutional or developmental abnormality and thus not a disability under VA law.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, and thus remanded the case back to the RO/AMC for further action.