Anxiety Board decisions

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include psoriatic arthritis with scoliosis of the dorsolumbar spine and multiple skin conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings had not been met, and there was no evidence of new and material information to reopen previously denied service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded the case to allow further development, including obtaining additional information about stressors in service and providing a VA examination.

The VA has granted a rating of 70 percent for the veteran's anxiety disorder, effective August 16, 2002. The current evaluation is considered appropriate based on the symptoms described.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further investigation is needed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is established, granting her special monthly pension based on this need.

The veteran's claim for service connection for general anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for generalized anxiety disorder and gastric ulcer disease were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The veteran's hypertension was not service-connected, but his anxiety disorder with PTSD was granted a 10% evaluation prior to April 22, 2002. The current evaluation for the combined condition of anxiety disorder and PTSD remains denied.

The veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. However, his claims for higher initial evaluations of his right eye condition and chronic headaches were denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has found that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is service connected, but her hypertension was not shown to be related to service. The claims for increased evaluations of the service-connected foot callus and left ankle disorders are remanded.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD. The appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further verification of his National Guard service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board finds that the veteran's anxiety and depression are related to service, including his episodes of enuresis shortly after enlistment. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder characterized as anxiety and depression is granted.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a 50 percent rating is warranted. The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder was evaluated as 70 percent disabling for the period November 20, 1996 to February 1, 2005.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks since April 13, 2004. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in this decision.