The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for panic disorder with agoraphobia and mild multilevel spondelotic disease of the lumbar spine were denied, as the evidence did not support a higher rating than that already assigned.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the symptomatology necessary for a higher rating was not documented in the record prior to May 28, 2004, and since then, while there is documentation of panic attacks, the Veteran's overall functioning did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- panic disorder with agoraphobia, mild multilevel spondelotic disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0907158
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,038 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0907158.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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