The veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his unemployability is not solely due to his service-connected disability. An earlier effective date than May 5, 2005, for an increase in evaluation of the service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia was granted.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes; unemployability is due to factors other than his service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- panic disorder with agoraphobia, specific phobia, heights and elevators
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2009
- Citation
- 0903508
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,464 · Granted: 14% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0903508.
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 Veteran's TDIU and combined disability ratings have satisfied the criteria for special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status since September 18, 2018.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and substance abuse disorders.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for panic disorder with agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's mental disorder began during his active service and is caused by in-service events.
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