Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. His generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and specific phobia (elevators) are considered to have been incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The veteran's TDIU rating was denied as his service-connected anxiety reaction did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's bilateral knee disability and generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and depressive features have been granted service connection. The veteran is currently rated at a 10 percent for his generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot (or shrapnel) wound to the stomach and an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent, and his claim for TDIU based on service-connected conditions is denied.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including depression, antisocial personality disorder, and anxiety disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also determined that a personality disorder was not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The goal is to determine if an increased rating beyond 30 percent should be granted for his service-connected dysthymia and anxiety.

The veteran's symptoms of fatigue, loss of energy, joint discomfort (neck, low back, right shoulder), memory loss, headaches, anxiety, fevers, skin rash, boils, and disability secondary to reaction to chemicals are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting their causation by an undiagnosed illness. Service connection is granted for neck, back, and right shoulder discomfort as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and therefore, denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for anxiety reaction with PTSD, effective September 17, 2002. The veteran's symptoms include flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hypervigilance, and impairment in memory and concentration.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, ischemic heart disease (arteriosclerotic heart disease), arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, psychogenic anxiety reaction, and PTSD as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's service-connected major depression with anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent, and she meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for headaches, anxiety disorders, and a sleep disorder due to their relationship with the service-connected bilateral tinnitus. The hypertension claim remains denied as it is not related to the service-connected bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information on the relationship between the veteran's in-service and post-service symptoms, specifically regarding his cardiac and mental health conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder effective November 7, 2005. The veteran's earlier effective date request was also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is reasonably attributable to service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service stressors leading to current psychiatric problems.