Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder can be decided. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, including those from SSA and VA healthcare facilities, and ensure that the veteran is given an opportunity to respond and provide any necessary authorization.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and compliance with the VCAA, including notification and examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his anxiety reaction with PTSD and psychophysiological reactions were denied. The RO granted a 100 percent evaluation retroactive to February 13, 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for peptic ulcer disease. The decision found no evidence of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for generalized anxiety disorder, sleep disorder, and loss of concentration. However, no new and material evidence was found to support the reopening of claims for joint pain (knees and ankles), fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or facial rash as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the January 1997 rating decision, and therefore the issues are dismissed.

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, which is higher than the current 30 percent. The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying stressor information and obtaining historical records from the Navy.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder was denied. The case is now remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left facial paralysis and ptosis of the left eye, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The RO is instructed to provide due process development and consider staged ratings for the left facial paralysis.

The veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is not factually ascertainable prior to August 1, 1990.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder with anxiety and an increased rating for left ankle disability, as well as his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a personality disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen this previous claim.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for anxiety reaction with post-traumatic stress disorder was denied. The July 2000 Substantive Appeal, which sought a higher rating, was withdrawn by the veteran's authorized representative in November 2000.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death from gastric ulcer and hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders to his service or any incident therein, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for a claimed anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder (with phobias) does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, and his cervical spine soft tissue injury and residuals of right tibia fracture do not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including a new VA examination.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits effective from April 3, 2001. The decision was based on his current diagnoses of amnestic disorder/dementia and other physical conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, is pending.