Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD or adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, previously evaluated as Anxiety Disorder. The issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to bilateral hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including mood disorders and PTSD. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and nonservice-connected pension are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome and COPD, have manifested to a compensable degree prior to December 31, 2021. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than his already service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence in remission) has been denied as there is no evidence of a separately diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainfully employment, and the Board grants a TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disorder of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, reflecting significant forward flexion and combined range of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for new VA examinations and additional development of the claims. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating for generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability, are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is currently in receipt of the maximum schedular rating available for his supraventricular tachycardia, and there was no evidence of an exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia. The examiner will provide a current diagnosis and determine if any diagnosed disorders are related to service or secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder). The initial compensable rating for bilateral pterygium was also denied. Effective dates were not granted for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify in-service stressors, obtain an opinion on the relationship between his anxiety disorder and tinnitus, and provide notification regarding secondary service connection requirements.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be causally related to an event, injury, or disease in service.,There is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure that is causally related to, or aggravated by, an event, injury, or disease in service.

The Veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer residuals was reduced from 100% to 60%, effective March 1, 2010. The reduction was proper as the evidence showed no recurrence of prostate cancer and the Veteran was not undergoing treatment.,SMC based on housebound status was restored effective March 1, 2010, due to the Veteran's service-connected bowel incontinence precluding him from maintaining gainful employment.