The RO denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The effective date of March 31, 1998, for the grant of service connection and a 70 percent rating for panic disorder without agoraphobia was not granted.
The deciding factor: The RO found that new and material evidence had not been received sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The effective date prior to March 31, 1998, could not be established as there was no communication from the veteran or his representative regarding such an application before this decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2007
- Citation
- 0730871
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 0730871.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to service-connected PTSD, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and TBI, as well as a claim for hearing loss.
- Partly granted
The Board granted eligibility for the direct payment of attorney fees to the appellant from benefits resulting from a 70 percent rating for panic disorder without agoraphobia and a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, but denied such eligibility for pes planus and right elbow tendinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of March 6, 2015, for a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that there had been an increase in severity during the one-year lookback period.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia alone prevents him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 27, 2009. Additionally, the Veteran has additional service-connected disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more, qualifying him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.