Anxiety Board decisions

The Board has affirmed the denial of a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes, citing incomplete evaluations of non-service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a head injury, including dysthymia and PTSD, have been rated at 50 percent since February 1996. The disability is productive of moderately disabling depression with symptoms such as impaired concentration, short-term memory, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

The veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for his psychiatric disorder, which is secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus, was granted. The case also addressed the issue of TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The veteran died more than 25 years after discharge from service and had several service-connected disabilities. However, they were not individually or in combination rated or ratable at 100% disabling for ten or more years immediately preceding his death.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with a history of manic-depressive psychosis, finding that the condition did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board has found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depression, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder as secondary to the coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence. The veteran's heart attack during active duty training was not considered service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, as well as paranoid schizophrenia, are not well-grounded. There is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective from December 1999. The service-connected cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are not considered secondary to the anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his anxiety disorder and duodenal ulcer, as well as service connection for abdominal aneurysm, back disorder, tinnitus, and PTSD. The RO evaluated these conditions at their current assigned rates.

The Board has determined that the claim is well-grounded and grants service connection for the cause of death due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for residuals of an aneurysm of the occipital artery and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his 10% rating for bipolar disorder with anxiety. The decision stated that no CUE was found in prior decisions and that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder warrants a 100 percent evaluation, effective from November 7, 1996, based on his total isolation and inability to obtain or retain employment.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his generalized anxiety disorder with associated gastrointestinal disability was denied. However, the VA granted a temporary total disability evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 due to hospitalization from April 17 to May 10, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to her nonservice-connected disabilities, as they do not prevent her from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to manage his own financial affairs without limitation, and therefore denies direct payment of VA benefits.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, claimed as depression and anxiety, is not well-grounded because his assertion of having an acquired psychiatric disability related to service is not supported by medical evidence sufficient to render the claim plausible.