The veteran's initial evaluation for panic disorder with agoraphobia and generalized anxiety was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms, including agoraphobia, sleep impairment, persistent anxiety and panic attacks, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and GAF score range of 50 to 65, were found to be consistent with the current 50 percent rating under the criteria for a chronic adjustment disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- panic disorder with agoraphobia, generalized anxiety
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0906151
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's panic disorder with agoraphobia, finding that the symptoms more closely approximated those required for this rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to obtain a more adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.
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