The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied as the evidence does not support a separate diagnosis of claustrophobia and fear of water. The claim for increased rating for depressive disorder is also denied.
The deciding factor: There is no credible evidence to support a separate diagnosis of claustrophobia and fear of water, which are considered manifestations of traumatic experiences from service rather than distinct conditions related to the Veteran's period of active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- claustrophobia, fear of water
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2021
- Citation
- 21040134
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 21040134.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for narcolepsy and hypertension have been dismissed. The Board has also granted service connection for claustrophobia, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of various conditions have been dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election. The claims were pending before the RO pursuant to an HLR request when VA received the Veteran's appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for claustrophobia, as there was no evidence of a current disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include claustrophobia and anxiety, for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed condition.
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