Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including major depressive disorder with panic attacks and generalized anxiety, hypertension, and sinusitis, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The VA medical records do not show any evidence of these conditions during her military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a fracture of the right fourth metacarpal, severe migraine headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, multiple joint pain, and anxiety, stress, sleep disturbance and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness were all denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the service-connected anxiety disorder, effective from May 16, 2001.

The May 26, 1959 rating decision granted service connection for chronic brain syndrome and anxiety reaction.,The May 6, 1964 rating decision reduced the evaluation of psychoneurosis (anxiety reaction) from 10% to noncompensably disabling.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development and notification.

The veteran's anxiety disorder, including PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling due to significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has granted a 100 percent schedular disability rating for an anxiety reaction and awarded TDIU effective May 8, 2000. The appeal seeking earlier effective dates is dismissed.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety neurosis, which is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is manifested by sleep disturbances, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and anger. The VA has granted a rating of 30 percent for the adjustment/anxiety disorder.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records, including VA hospital records. A new examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors. The issue of whether other psychiatric disorders are related to service remains pending.

The Board has determined that a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's not otherwise specified anxiety disorder is granted, as it meets the criteria for such an evaluation.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and sensory motor deficits of both lower extremities, with a combined disability rating of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, but not higher. The veteran is also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 40% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain, effective from an unspecified date. The claim of entitlement to increased ratings for dermatitis and anxiety disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for further development due to the need to verify an in-service stressor related to PTSD and to consider whether the verified stressor is sufficient to produce post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for PTSD or anxiety disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a 30% rating, but not higher. The skin disorder was rated as 30%, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tearing and loss of peripheral vision of the right eye, anxiety disorder secondary to service-connected disability, peroneal neuropathy of the right lower extremity, a right hip disorder, and low back disorder are all denied. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left foot fracture is granted.

The veteran's service-connected muscle contraction headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and his right knee disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the case for further development.