The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder with panic attacks and depression) was productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximated considerably impaired ability to establish or maintain effective relationships with people prior to November 7, 1996. The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder from July 16, 1996.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported symptoms such as panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, irritability, and poor concentration which interfered with his activities and relationships. His VA treatment records also reflected worsening symptoms during this period.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with Panic Attacks, Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20012153
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 20012153.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for anxiety disorder and TBI were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the AOJ's handling of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and depression. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and their relation to service.
- Denied
The Board denied eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 rating decision because the March 2024 rating decision was an initial decision granting service connection for anxiety disorder.
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