The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected undifferentiated somatoform disorder with claustrophobia, finding that her symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The clinical evidence showed no significant changes in the veteran's depression, anxiety, and somatization disorder since her last examination. Her GAF scores were consistently between 65-70, indicating mild to moderate symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- somatoform disorder, claustrophobia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2001
- Citation
- 0127464
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0127464.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for claustrophobia, as there was no evidence of a current disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include claustrophobia and anxiety, for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disorder, and vasovagal syncope to correct duty to assist errors.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for claustrophobia was dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement. The claim for COPD is remanded for further development.
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