The Veteran's specific phobia, situational tight spaces, is not productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The right thumb arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's specific phobia primarily affects him in confined spaces such as elevators, airplanes, and MRI machines, resulting in only mild or transient symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks occurring weekly or less often. The right thumb arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Specific Phobia, Situational (Tight Spaces), Degenerative Arthritis of the Right Thumb, Left Wrist Degenerative Arthritis, Varicose Veins of the Left Lower Extremity, Varicose Veins of the Right Lower Extremity, Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis with Degenerative Arthritis and a Left Calcaneal Heel Spur, Left Hip Pain, Right Hip Pain, Sciatica of the Left Lower Extremity, Sciatica of the Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 24, 2024
- Citation
- A24020981
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 A24020981.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking an effective date earlier than December 17, 2012 for the award of service connection for right hip pain is dismissed. The Veteran's initial disability rating for his service-connected right hip pain remains at 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC), Left Wrist Degenerative Arthritis, and Bilateral Hearing Loss are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, and left hip disorders based on the Veteran's active duty service. The conditions are considered to be directly related to his military duties.
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