The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to June 5, 2015. After that date, the disability was not shown to be productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment.,Prior to June 20, 2019, the Veteran's back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees. From June 20, 2019 onwards, the disability was shown to have been functionally limited to 30 degrees or less.,Prior to March 21, 2016, the Veteran's neck disability was manifested by complaints of pain and flexion of the cervical spine at 40 degrees with a combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees. Effective March 21, 2016, the disability is shown to have been functionally limited to 15 degrees of flexion.,The Veteran's left knee disability was manifested by complaints of pain and forward flexion ending at 120 degrees with no recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The right knee disability was also manifested by complaints of pain and forward flexion ending at 120 degrees with no recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.,The Veteran's digestive system disability included symptoms such as persistently recurrent epigastric distress, nausea, pyrosis (heartburn), reflux, and regurgitation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s generalized anxiety disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent or 70 percent rating based on the severity of his symptoms and occupational/social impairment. The disability was found to be productive of reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19183793
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 19183793.
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
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