Service connection for PTSD is denied because the Veteran does not meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Service connection for panic disorder is denied because no nexus exists between the condition and military service. Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is granted based on evidence that the condition developed during or was contributed to by military service.
The deciding factor: The Board gave greatest evidentiary weight to the December 2018 VHA psychiatrist opinion and June 2018 VA examiner opinion over private medical opinions, finding that for PTSD the claimed stressors do not meet Criterion A severity, for panic disorder the nexus to service is not established, and for generalized anxiety disorder the nexus is established based on the Veteran's documented in-service emotional distress.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20000190
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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