Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder is no more than 30 percent disabling, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and DIC benefits under section 1318. The veteran died from lung carcinoma, which was not related to his service-connected anxiety disorder or pilonidal cyst. There is no evidence that the veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death.

The veteran committed suicide due to mental unsoundness associated with his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, and the Board grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim, but did not address service connection or assign a rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a traveling member of the Board.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, concluding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and that the veteran's symptoms were better explained by other diagnoses.

The Board has denied the claim for an increased rating for anxiety reaction with PTSD, as the evidence does not support a higher disability evaluation. The issue of service connection for chronic prostatitis and sexual dysfunction is not currently before the Board due to lack of timely appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for generalized anxiety disorder, headaches, and hemorrhoids as there was no evidence showing that these conditions were service-connected or related to his military service.

The veteran's anxiety reaction causes moderate impairment, but does not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating or a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with somatization was denied. The RO increased the rating to 30 percent effective from March 1996.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety neurosis was granted, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of a rating in excess of 10 percent for his psychiatric disorder (classified as anxiety disorder) prior to March 29, 1999 was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete information regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD and stressors.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause. The RO will consider both old and current rating criteria for mental disorders.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder was denied as the issue was not well-grounded due to a lack of current diagnosis.

The veteran's claim for higher monetary benefits for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied as there is no provision in law or regulation for increase in this benefit.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder, scars of the right forearm, gunshot wound to the right arm with scarring and incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, and gunshot wound resulting in injury to Muscle Group XV, posterior lateral aspect of the thigh were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with claimed PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The claim has been remanded due to incomplete records from Air Force hospitals.

The veteran's PTSD, dysthymia and anxiety disability results in severe social and occupational impairment due to depression, irritability, increasing anxiety, combat-related flashbacks, nightmares, sleep difficulty and intrusive thoughts. The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for these conditions.