Anxiety Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is manifested by total occupational impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including seeking a report of the psychiatric consultation from December 1963 and scheduling the veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims to reopen her previously denied psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability, and PTSD claims.

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

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder contributed to his death, which was caused by cerebral herniation. The Board found that the CAD implicated in the veteran's death was etiologically related to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for dementia and anxiety disorder, effective March 28, 1996. The veteran's appeal is now on whether the current rating should be increased beyond this level.

The case is being remanded due to the need for a neuropsychological evaluation and psychiatric examination to determine the current level of impairment due to service-connected psychosis, including whether the newly diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder represents progression or a new condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his hypertensive and cardiovascular disease was not related to a service-connected disability or an incident of service origin.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head injury, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and brain damage due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship between service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected manic depressive psychosis with anxiety does not warrant a higher rating as it currently results in occupational and social impairment, but not to the degree required for a 50% evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder prior to April 8, 2002. Therefore, an effective date earlier than April 8, 2002 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his service, including any alleged mistreatment while in service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post traumatic stress disorder results in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a viral syndrome, to include streptococci infection. The veteran was treated during service for strep throat and viral upper respiratory infections but no residual disability resulted. There is no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, dysthymia, anxiety, and possible PTSD. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between the veteran's in-service experiences and his current mental health conditions.

The Board has found that the appellant's anxiety disorder is attributable to service and granted service connection for this condition. The left ankle and chest disorders are not currently addressed as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The veteran's disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and hypertension, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as they are not sufficiently disabling to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder secondary to narcolepsy, finding that no formal or informal claim was filed prior to December 17, 1998.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and anxiety disorder. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria, nor was there sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.