The Veteran's service-connected social phobia is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disability, but the Board concludes that he does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his disability alone does not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's social phobia has been rated at 50 percent since May 1996. The medical evidence shows that his symptoms, such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once a week, and difficulty understanding complex commands, are consistent with a 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. However, the Veteran's GAF scores have been in the range of 61-70, indicating some mild symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- social phobia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 2, 2009
- Citation
- 0945905
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 0945905.
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 decided to remand the case due to a failure to properly characterize and address all psychiatric conditions, including alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's service records indicate he had longstanding mental health issues and behavioral changes between his tours of duty.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and social phobia, has been granted a 100% disability rating effective February 16, 2017. The appeal for TDIU prior to December 12, 2019 is mooted due to the grant of a higher disability rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the last decision, including VA treatment records and examination reports. The AOJ should review all of this evidence before readjudicating the claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether PTSD is related to an in-service stressor.
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