The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for panic disorder with agoraphobia was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 100% or an earlier effective date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms were found to be more consistent with a 70% disability rating, which is the current assigned rating, and did not warrant a 100% rating due to total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20021545
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20021545.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for her psychiatric disabilities, as reducing it to 70% was improper.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the reduction in the disability evaluation for panic disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective December 1, 2019, was improper and is void ab initio. The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia remains at a 70 percent rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's ratings for right and left shoulder subluxation were restored to 20% effective September 1, 2019.,A staged increased rating of 70% was granted for panic disorder with agoraphobia from March 7, 2019, through October 10, 2022.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, upper back disability, and head injury residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.
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