Anxiety Board decisions

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by depression, anxiety, guilt, suicidal ideation, irritability, memory and concentration issues, intrusive memories, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, sleep problems, impaired judgment, difficulty in work environment, and social isolation. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling an in-person Travel Board hearing due to appellant's failure to report for a scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the case requires additional development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to her service. The VA must also attempt to obtain information from the veteran's aunt about an alleged attack and attempted rape during service.

The VA granted service connection for anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) effective from April 19, 2001 and assigned an initial 10 percent rating. The decision does not address the issue of a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has received notification from the veteran that they wish to withdraw their appeal, leading to the dismissal of the case.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and somatoform disorder with seizures on a conversion basis is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and requests for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected residuals of head injury with skull/sinus fractures and brain concussion with dementia and anxiety. Additionally, a separate 10 percent evaluation is assigned for his scarring of the face, right supraorbital area.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety reaction is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's daughter, CLC, is permanently incapable of self-support due to mental or physical defects prior to her 18th birthday and grants recognition as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records and verify any stressors associated with service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The appeal was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant's generalized anxiety disorder warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for alopecia areata and anxiety disorder were denied by the RO. The VA examinations indicated that the veteran has alopecia areata affecting approximately 1.5% of his scalp, with no systemic symptoms or need for systemic therapy. His anxiety disorder is characterized by moderate to severe depressive and anxious symptoms, but does not meet criteria for occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and requesting an addendum from a VA physician regarding whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The veteran's RH insurance claim is being held in abeyance due to pending issues of reopening service connection claims for a functional heart murmur, a psychiatric disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome. The case will be remanded once these issues are resolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) and for an addictive disease, characterized by drug and alcohol abuse. The denial is based on the lack of evidence of a current disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the appellant's service-connected anxiety with depression and PTSD as of November 6, 2000.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 17, 1986 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.