Anxiety Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for genital herpes were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a diagnosed anxiety disorder with panic attacks during service, nor did the medical evidence establish that his current psychiatric disorders began in service.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Service connection is established for an acquired nervous disorder, heart condition, Type II adult onset diabetes mellitus, and a skin disorder due to Agent Orange exposure. Claims for pancreatitis, low back pain, knee pains, and erectile dysfunction were denied.

The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxiety.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety neurosis and multiple fragment wounds, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has found that the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder had new and material evidence to reopen. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining information about alleged stressors during service and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety warrants a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's low back strain, effective from May 17, 2001. The veteran's low back disability is manifested primarily by complaints of pain and limitation of motion, with mild degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for anxiety disorder and a TDIU rating based on the date of receipt of the claim in April 3, 1990. The effective dates were adjusted to reflect earlier dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD or an anxiety disorder associated with service, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms is currently rated at a 30 percent disability level, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or asbestosis, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions. The acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder) was found not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder/major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, muscle injury to the left thigh, and tinnitus, do not render him unemployable.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to clarify his psychiatric disabilities and their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to comply with previous directives.

The veteran's claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including stomach/digestive disorder (claimed as GERD and dyspepsia), migraine headaches, TMJ syndrome, lower urinary tract disorder, erectile dysfunction, malignant melanoma, and obstructive sleep apnea have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions being related to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine, Radiculopathy of the Left Shoulder/Arm, Headaches, Hypertension, and Corneal Abrasion of the Right Eye) meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined 80% disability rating.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a service connection for PTSD with depression, generalized anxiety and panic attacks due to lack of credible supporting evidence of the stressors.

The Board found that the veteran's current heart disorder is not related to active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, postoperative residuals of coronary artery disease, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), as well as his claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The April 1975 denial of service connection for left ear hearing loss is final.