Anxiety Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The RO assigned noncompensable ratings to the conditions of residuals of a fracture of the right fifth finger, status post gall bladder removal, hallux valgus of both feet, and paresthesia of the distal tip of the left middle finger.

The Board has restored a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with labile hypertension and tachycardia, effective from October 1, 1985.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression with generalized anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a preexisting condition and that any acquired psychiatric condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the submitted articles were insufficient to establish a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and his service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the knees and anxiety disorder, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his anxiety reaction, total disability based on individual unemployability, and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent level, and the Board has determined that an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction contributed substantially to his death from congestive heart failure and chronic renal insufficiency.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and various gastrointestinal and neurological conditions due to an undiagnosed illness. The appeals were not granted as there was no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD or any chronic disability related to the claimed undiagnosed illnesses.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his anxiety disorder rated at 50 percent was denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA medical examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and to verify any claimed stressors. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The case is being remanded for the RO to obtain outpatient treatment records from October 1997 onwards, as these have not been obtained and considered. The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected dysthymic disorder with anxiety will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The veteran's death was due to his service-connected disabilities, and he would have been entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability as of November 9, 1983. Therefore, DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is granted.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is granted, with the disability currently rated at 50 percent.

The veteran's combined disability rating is no more than 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder does not warrant an increased rating greater than 50 percent, and denied his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms are primarily associated with his dementia rather than his service-connected PTSD and GAD, leading to a denial of an increased rating.

The VA has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the appellant's generalized anxiety disorder with depression, but the claimant argues that this is not sufficient and seeks an increased evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected chronic brain syndrome and anxiety have been increased to a 30 percent evaluation, effective April 1997. The cervical spine arthritis with limitation of motion remains at a 20 percent evaluation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder does not warrant a rating higher than the current 30 percent evaluation.