The Veteran's initial rating for anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted at a 50 percent disability rating. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent is denied, as the evidence does not show that his condition meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating. TDIU from January 3, 2014 to May 20, 2016 and SMC at the housebound rate from January 3, 2014 to February 1, 2020 are granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's psychiatric disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, memory loss, impaired judgment, abstract thinking difficulties, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23057844
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 23057844.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of persistent depressive disorder was denied as the earliest date of claim is January 29, 2010.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his persistent depressive disorder was also denied. The current assigned rating of 70 percent has been in effect since at least December 2012.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of persistent depressive disorder was denied as the earliest date of claim is January 29, 2010.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his persistent depressive disorder was also denied. The current assigned rating of 70 percent has been in effect since at least December 2012.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of persistent depressive disorder was denied as the earliest date of claim is January 29, 2010.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his persistent depressive disorder was also denied. The current assigned rating of 70 percent has been in effect since at least December 2012.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, is granted effective August 21, 2019. A rating of 70 percent for the acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.
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