Anxiety Board decisions

The veteran's anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, as evidenced by his workaholic tendencies and lack of motivation since discharge from service. His symptoms included panic attacks, short-term memory impairment, and depression.,Since April 10, 2005, the veteran's depressive disorder has caused significant occupational and social impairment, including difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostatitis and anxiety have been denied. The VA has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his prostatitis, either under the old or new schedular criteria. For anxiety, he is currently rated at 30 percent from December 10, 1991 to March 23, 2006 and no higher than 30 percent since March 24, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing a statement of the case on the earlier effective date for service connection and considering any additional evidence received since the November 2003 statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran currently has PTSD and whether it is related to service.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to address whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as paranoia, anxiety, a psychosis, or an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request to withdraw it.

The veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disorder was denied. His claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder was granted with a 50% rating effective from June 20, 2005. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for acne of the face, back, and shoulders was denied.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for anxiety reaction and bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus was granted, with a rating of 30 percent each. The issue regarding service connection for a back disorder is still pending.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric condition, specifically an anxiety disorder, and denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder was a contributory cause of his death from respiratory distress due to bronchiectasis, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has found that the appellant's anxiety disorder with somatization features warrants a schedular rating of 30 percent, effective June 21, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. O'Fran and SSA.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or in need of aid and attendance of another person is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either status based on his multiple disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current panic disorder is related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's death was not the result of his own willful misconduct, and he had a combined schedular disability evaluation of 80% due to service-connected disabilities. However, he did not have a total disability rating for 10 years prior to his death, nor was he entitled to a total disability based on individual unemployability for 10 years prior to his death.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder, effective from September 28, 1995. The veteran is seeking a prior effective date to December 23, 1991.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for PTSD.