Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to missing records and the need for additional development, including verification of combat stressors, a VA examination, and consideration of pre-service psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the Veteran has established service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and anxiety, due to a verified in-service stressor. For his stomach disability, gastritis and GERD, the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition that is related to service. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to his dementia.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service personnel records, provide a new opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and insomnia, and readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a physical incapacity such that he requires regular aid and assistance to dress, undress, toileting, bathing, preparing food, and shopping. As a result, the Board finds SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety reaction is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a TDIU. The appellant is also entitled to a rating of 70 percent for the psychiatric disability, but not SMC due to his ability to maintain some personal hygiene and relationships.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disability, were denied. The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids claim was also denied.,The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20% from October 10, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claims, including those related to PTSD, bilateral foot disorder, and skin disorder.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including RLS, COPD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, low back disability, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary medical records and conduct appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are found to be related to service. Service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's conditions, while serious, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status prior to May 20, 2014.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression results in some social impairment, but not occupational impairment. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety NOS and depression is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, claimed as secondary to service-connected GAD and vertigo, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.