Anxiety Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking his anxiety disorder to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his head trauma residuals and post-traumatic headaches due to head trauma, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's hepatitis C with anxiety and depression was granted a rating of 30 percent effective from July 27, 2000. The issues for increased ratings were denied.

The veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and dysthymia is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for the veteran's anxiety reaction, effective March 29, 2006. Prior to this date, the rating was 50%. The decision is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment from September 20, 2005 onwards.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not due to a disability incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that an effective date of March 6, 2001, is warranted for a 70 percent evaluation for anxiety reaction with conversion features and a TDIU based on service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses are related to his military service and whether any stressor events have resulted in PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for copies of ship logs from the U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61) during June 1966, which may provide evidence related to a personal assault claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, is related to his military service. The Board also found no evidence of PTSD and denied the claim for PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; hypertension; and coronary artery disease. The veteran's anxiety disorder was not linked to any in-service stressors or events. His hypertension and coronary artery disease were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence, including a lack of an adequate VA examination and missing records from Northhampton VA Medical Center. The veteran is also advised about alternative sources of competent evidence for his claim based on in-service personal assault.

The Board has determined that the veteran's high cholesterol and social anxiety disorder are not service-connected, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be further evaluated on its merits.

The veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and a personality disorder with immature personality and situational adjustment reaction have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to these conditions remain unresolved.,The Board is remanding the case back to the AOJ for further action on the reopened claims.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection were granted, with the earliest possible effective date being September 10, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for attorney fees from past-due benefits based on a September 2003 rating decision granting service connection for dysthymia and anxiety, finding that the appellant is not entitled to payment of attorney fees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder does not warrant a higher evaluation, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.