The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, was rated at 30 percent prior to November 15, 2018, and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board found the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's psychiatric disability allowed him to maintain relationships, attend college with good grades, and engage in hobbies, which supported a 30% or 50% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19174373
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 19174373.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) due to a lack of continuous pursuit of his claims.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.
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