The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder was denied. The Board also found that the July 2005 rating decision denying service connection for a right hand and arm condition had not been appealed within the required time frame.
The deciding factor: The claim for an increased evaluation was based on the veteran's contention that his current disability rating did not accurately reflect the severity of his anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence supported a 50% evaluation, as per Diagnostic Codes 9400-9413 in 38 C.F.R. § 4.130.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, Dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0820458
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0820458.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board found that the appellant's misconduct was mitigated by his combat-related experiences and mental health symptoms, leading to a decision granting VA benefits despite his bad conduct discharge.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The claim was remanded to provide a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's motion for revision of the June 25, 2015 rating decision was denied as there was no clear and unmistakable error in assigning an effective date of April 20, 2015 for service connection of major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder. The earliest effective date is the date his claim to reopen was received.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error related to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, are being examined by VA.
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