The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his symptoms are more closely approximated by a 50 percent evaluation than a higher one.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Claimed conditions
- social anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19103928
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,548 · Granted: 31% (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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19103928.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for service connection of major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and avoidant personality disorder was denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date is February 25, 2020, as this is when the Veteran filed his intent to file a claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to her in-service stressor.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders. A VA examination is needed to provide a medical opinion on this matter.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed as a matter of law, except for the grant of an initial rating of 10 percent for right knee limitation of extension.
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