Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a back condition and a mental condition, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's active duty for training.

The veteran's anxiety disorder and depression have significantly impaired his occupational and social functioning, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder warrants a 50 percent evaluation, and his service-connected hiatus hernia with GERD warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence suggests a relationship between the veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his military service, but does not conclusively establish this.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a rating for his hernia are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from service. A VA examination is also required to determine if his current psychiatric disorder began in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or skin condition for which service connection can be granted.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestos-related lung disease originated in service and is therefore granted service connection. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and low back disability. The veteran's anxiety disorder was granted with a 30 percent rating effective May 10, 2004.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of notification regarding the revised rating criteria and failure to schedule VA examinations. The RO/AMC is instructed to provide the veteran with the amended rating criteria, schedule VA examinations, and consider all evidence added since the last adjudication.

New evidence has been submitted that suggests the veteran served in Vietnam and may be related to his claimed conditions. The claims for service connection are being reopened.

The Board found no evidence of gout in service records and concluded that the veteran's current diagnosis of gout is not related to his military service. The veteran was also determined not to be housebound or in need of aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for Crohn's disease and awarded a 60 percent disability rating, effective November 9, 1993. The TDIU rating was also granted with an effective date of August 1, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety did not have their onset during service or for several years thereafter, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's service connection for chronic tinnitus and right ankle sprain residuals is granted. Service connection for chronic hypertension is denied as not incurred in or aggravated by wartime service.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and single episode major depression, is not related to his military service. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there was no credible evidence of a stressor coincident with his service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the veteran's sleep disorder, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected back disability. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder warrants a 50 percent rating since January 29, 2001.