Anxiety Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder has been granted, with the effective date being from the date of receipt of the claim in April 1998.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 30 percent, and he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran did not have any pending claims for VA disability compensation benefits at the time of his death, and he had a noncompensable rating for his service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety. The appellant is therefore not entitled to accrued benefits.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, considering his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was increased to a 70 percent evaluation effective January 13, 1998 and he is now rated as totally disabled.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or sufficient medical records supporting his allegations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD, which was currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The VA has denied the appellant's requests for increased evaluations for his right ear hearing loss and anxiety reaction, but granted a higher rating for his service-connected right ankle disability. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) request was also denied.,The current ratings for the appellant's service-connected conditions are appropriate given the severity of his disabilities and their impact on his employment.

The Board is unable to determine the cause of death due to a gap in medical records from March 1968 to January 1998, preventing effective review of the appellant's claim.

The Board found that the cause of death, a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was not related to service-connected conditions and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board finds that the veteran's dental condition is not aggravating his service-connected anxiety reaction, and thus does not meet the criteria for Class III VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder, including an anxiety disorder, incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran's PTSD was not demonstrated to be caused by verified inservice stressors.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorder are found to be service-connected due to in-service noise exposure and stress, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (anxiety or dysthymic disorder) secondary to the veteran's service-connected left varicocele and infertility, as well as service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and a skin disorder (actinic/seborrheic keratoses).

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a personality disorder and situational anxiety. The Board also concluded that an acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder warrants a rating no higher than 30 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the severity of symptoms and occupational/social impairment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's generalized anxiety disorder with features of PTSD was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence submitted is new and material, as it pertains to the issue at hand.