Anxiety Board decisions

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.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected other unspecified anxiety disorder causes occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but generally functions satisfactorily with normal routine behavior, self-care, and conversation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and evaluation of the Veteran's sleep apnea and anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran has no service-connected disabilities, which precludes entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder and PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety and depressive disorders, finding that the Veteran's allegations of being falsely accused of sexual harassment during military service are credible. The Board concluded that these allegations likely caused his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to address the Veteran's service connection claim, including his in-service experiences and current symptoms.

The Veteran's rhinosinusitis has been rated at 10 percent since December 4, 2009. Since September 1, 2015, the rating for anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder is 30 percent. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not due to service, specifically his in-service nasal surgery. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim (including PTSD) will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria of being helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.