Service connection was not granted for an anxiety disorder due to overlap with PTSD. Increased ratings were denied for lumbar strain, patellofemoral pain syndromes of both knees, and hearing loss of the left ear.
The deciding factor: The veteran's anxiety disorder is considered part of his service-connected PTSD, leading to denial of separate service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety Disorder, Lumbar Strain, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome - Right Knee, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome - Left Knee, Hearing Loss - Left Ear
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 9, 2007
- Citation
- 0707129
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 0707129.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
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- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and service connection for IBS as secondary to anxiety disorder is granted. Service connection for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is denied due to lack of presumptive basis. Service connection for CHF with bradycardia and pacemaker as secondary to hypertension is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depression and anxiety disorder are considered part of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, which already qualifies him for SMC(l). Therefore, he is not eligible for a higher rate of SMC.
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