The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and somatic symptom disorder is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last decision in April 2017. The AOJ will review this new evidence, including VA mental health treatment notes, and readjudicate the claim.
The deciding factor: The additional evidence includes VA treatment records discussing the nature and severity of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, which was not reviewed by the AOJ since the last decision in April 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, Somatic Symptom Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19125418
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and multiple musculoskeletal conditions but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and cannabis use disorder but granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support total occupational and social impairment.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.