The veteran's GAD and depressive disorder were productive of mild to moderate symptoms prior to November 8, 2007. As of that date, his symptoms worsened significantly, warranting a higher disability rating.
The deciding factor: The December 2004 VA examination indicated the veteran had mild depression, anxiety, and irritability with no significant impairment in thought processes or memory. The November 2007 VA examination showed more severe symptoms including consistent depression, difficulty following complex directions, problems with short-term memory, moderate to severe lack of concentration, avoidance of others, and severely limited relationships.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 19, 2008
- Citation
- 0832270
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 0832270.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain records from Holly Hill Hospital. The Veteran was previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD.
- Granted
The Veteran's GAD with PDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting an initial rating of 70 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected GAD was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
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