Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with atypical features and anxiety disorder is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, can be linked to his military service and is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (panic disorder with agoraphobia) and denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA psychiatric examination and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was found to be incurred during active military service. The Board also determined that bronchitis and a skin disorder were not related to his time in service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric condition, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board finds that further clarification is needed regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities and whether they are related to military service or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to afford the Veteran a VA examination to determine if any of his psychiatric disorders are related to, had its onset during, or were permanently aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's panic and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a GAF score of 71-80, indicating mild to moderate symptomatology without significant impairment in social or occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher than 10 percent disability rating, as his symptoms were controlled by medication and caused only mild work-related disruptions.

The Veteran's constipation is rated at a 30 percent rating since July 23, 2002. For the period from October 26, 2006 to March 12, 2009, his anxiety disorder was not manifested by social and occupational impairment warranting an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. Since March 13, 2009, his anxiety disorder has been rated at a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

Since June 2, 2005, the Veteran's anxiety disorder has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, flattened affect, mild sleep impairment, impaired judgment, chronic fatigue, disturbances of motivation and mood, mild concentration problems, suspiciousness, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 50 percent disability rating for anxiety disorder, NOS.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and dysthymia has been rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board denied service connection for blurry vision, a nervous disorder, and coronary artery disease. The decision found no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to establish their relationship with the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder does not result in significant occupational and social impairment, as defined by the VA rating criteria. The disability is rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his hepatitis C claim and concluding that the available documentation did not suggest a blood transfusion in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left eye injury and anxiety disorder with depression have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the January 2009 VA examination report. The Veteran's claims include service connection for dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, a VA examination for his service-connected anxiety reaction with depressive features and pes planus, and consideration of whether he should be entitled to a TDIU rating.