The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks is granted. The claims for service connection for a low back disorder and related leg disorders are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks is considered to be at least as likely as not first manifested during service due to the Veteran’s lay assertions regarding his behavior changes upon return from overseas deployment. The VA examiner provided an opinion that it was less likely than not that the diagnosed low back condition was incurred in service or otherwise caused by any in-service injury or event.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder Other Than PTSD
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20047273
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 20047273.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks was granted, effective April 4, 1985. The VA assigned a 50% rating from October 3, 2023, and denied TDIU.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including Major Neurocognitive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, are granted as service-connected. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected OSA.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is granted an increased disability rating of 100 percent, effective December 3, 2020. The appeal for a TDIU rating is dismissed as moot.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder does not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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