The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder with dysthymia, is at least in equipoise with service connection being granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities for accrued benefits purposes.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's anxiety disorder was related to his physical conditions and financial difficulties stemming from his service-connected disabilities, including chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and uncontrolled hypotension requiring hemodialysis.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety disorder with dysthymia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2010
- Citation
- 1038052
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 1038052.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person as he is unable to perform daily activities independently due to his physical impairments.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. His eligibility for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder with dysthymia. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with dysthymia and alcohol dependence, finding that his psychiatric disability produces severe impairment in work and family relations. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities.
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