The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his panic disorder with agoraphobia was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent effective from June 22, 2016.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia was also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be caused by the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (panic disorder).
- Claimed conditions
- Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19192247
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 19192247.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS with alcohol dependence. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for clarification regarding the severity of her hypothyroidism. The psychiatric disability remains rated at 70 percent, while the hypothyroidism rating remains undetermined.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent for panic disorder with agoraphobia prior to August 15, 2018. The issue of an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating remains on appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, dissociative disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, finding that the Veteran did not engage in combat during active duty service and there was no verified or verifiable stressor. The Board also found that any diagnosed psychiatric disorders were not related to his service.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.