Anxiety decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder and mental health conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, psychosis, and personality disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD was denied. The Veteran received a 50% rating for his adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood prior to October 17, 2014, but the appeal for an increased rating after that date is still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence assessing his employability based on his service-connected disabilities. He needs a VA examination to assess the impact of his disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his May 2009 VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his psychiatric disorders and coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and residuals thereof did not manifest during service, is not related to his service in any manner, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection. The same determination was made regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes depression but not PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent from March 25, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder with depression was granted, but the appeals for service connection for other conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the nature and likely etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it was aggravated by or caused by service-connected disabilities. Additionally, his sleep apnea will be evaluated for its onset in service or relation to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is caused by his service-connected disabilities. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized by anxiety and depression, has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the current rating of 50% is appropriate.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. The private etiological opinion supports a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.