Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction has been primarily manifested by transient episodes of moderate anxiety attacks, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but found no evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, which included generalized anxiety disorder (30%), chondromalacia of the right knee (10%), chondromalacia of the left knee (10%), right ankle sprain (10%), and migraine headaches (10%), did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 18, 1993.

The Board determined that the veteran was not competent for VA purposes due to his diagnosed conditions, including early dementia and anxiety disorder.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the feet, shoulders, and back disability to service. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board denied secondary service connection for diverticular disease and the increased rating claim for anxiety neurosis, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the service-connected anxiety disorder and the claimed conditions. The current rating of 30% for anxiety neurosis is maintained.

The veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, is determined to be caused by a VA pharmacy dispensing error in September 1998. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 has been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not show that he engaged in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressors were unverified. No current diagnosed psychiatric disability was related to service.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, effective from October 4, 1999. The veteran also received a higher initial evaluation for his neurodermatitis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for myopia, left arm twitching, gingivitis and stomatitis (claimed as bleeding gums), a psychiatric disability including PTSD, depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder with mood swings, sleep disturbance, memory loss, night sweats, and concentration problems, sexual dysfunction, and staph and strep infections. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability (anxiety neurosis with panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder) was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, dysthymia, anxiety and/or PTSD, is found to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for varicose veins in the left leg, sinus tachycardia, and anxiety have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or a link to service.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such assistance due to his current service-connected disabilities. However, he is eligible for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder (claimed as severe anxiety) due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during or as a result of his period of active service.

The Board determined that the veteran's pre-existing generalized anxiety disorder was not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected anxiety neurosis, effective March 6, 1998. The veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbar myositis and service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition and denied his request for an increased rating for anxiety state, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims. The veteran's anxiety is currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's psychiatric disorder does not result in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating higher than 10 percent.