Anxiety Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic acquired psychiatric disability in service and denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance by another person or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to perform self-care functions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the alleged stressors in service or a link between current psychiatric conditions and service. For the hearing loss claim, the Board also noted that there is no medical evidence showing the veteran's current hearing impairment met the threshold criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are linked to in-service stressors. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The veteran's claims for prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The veteran's service-connected disability does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder not otherwise specified has been productive of difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships since December 17, 2001. Since April 15, 2003, the condition has resulted in total occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing and determining if the veteran wishes to designate a representative.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, can be decided. The veteran's reserve service and active duty records need to be verified, as well as his stressors and medical history.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for anxiety reaction and right thumb injury, finding no evidence of compensable limitations or gaps in motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not establish a connection between his current conditions and events during military service.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and review of the claims file. The RO will then prepare a new rating decision based on the additional evidence.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for major depression with anxiety, effective from the date of the original claim. The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability is dismissed as moot due to her current employment status.

The veteran died from heart disease, which was not related to his service-connected anxiety reaction. The Board found that the cause of death was not caused or contributed substantially by a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for anxiety disorder and service connection for hypertension secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder were denied. The claims of reopening service connection for a cerebral concussion and right ear injury residuals are also pending.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected appendectomy scar and right inguinal hernia repair. The case will also be reviewed to determine if separate ratings can be assigned under Esteban v. Brown.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic anxiety and depressive psychoneurosis did not cause his death from coronary artery disease, as there is no scientific proof linking anxiety disorder to coronary artery disease. The examiner found it speculative to determine if the veteran's anxiety aggravated his smoking habit.