Anxiety Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for anxiety as the veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA psychiatric examination without good cause.

The VA determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the current schedular criteria.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted, allowing the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for heart disease as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder to be reopened. The Board also determined that the veteran has coronary heart disease that is secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, warranting a grant of service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for generalized anxiety disorder and duodenal ulcer have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each.

The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA psychiatric treatment records from 1987 to 1988, and any other relevant pre- or post-dating records. The appellant's claim for service connection may now be reconsidered.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as it is considered to be a result of his combat exposure during active military service.

The veteran's service records show diagnoses of anxiety reaction, acute situational reaction, and dementia. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran currently has a dysthymic disorder (a type of neurosis) which is chronic and related to his service. Therefore, the Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current conditions and his military service, including his service in the Persian Gulf War. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's service-connected disability does not warrant SMC at the rate provided by 38 U.S.C.A. Section 1114(l) based on need for regular aid and attendance, nor is there evidence of an earlier effective date for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. Section 1114(s).

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and basic eligibility for educational benefits under Chapter 35, finding that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder with headaches, finding that the symptoms first manifested during service. The claim for increased rating of laceration of the right fifth finger remains pending and the claim for service connection for an eye disorder is denied.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depression is found to be aggravated by his service-connected back disorder, and a rating of 60 percent for the ruptured lumbar disc is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no relationship between his death and any service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's death to his service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and increased the rating for diabetes mellitus to 40 percent.

The veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for bilateral deafness, generalized anxiety disorder, tonsillitis, and otitis media were not perfected. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the lack of a timely or adequate substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his anxiety reaction with PTSD and shell fragment wound scars, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is denied as the evidence does not support a greater evaluation than the current 50 percent assigned.