The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, while a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral strain is denied. The issue of TDIU is remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as near-continuous panic affecting the ability to function independently, chronic sleep impairment, decreased energy and motivation, avoidance behaviors, and social isolation.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20068921
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depression.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial compensable rating for migraines and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include an anxiety disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence did not support a link between any diagnosed condition and her military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, cocaine use disorder, and opiate use disorder, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.
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.