The Veteran was granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for the service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder from February 20, 2018 to November 22, 2024; however, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the same condition from November 22, 2024 was denied. A higher initial (compensable) disability rating for right ear hearing loss was also denied.

The deciding factor: The severity, frequency, and duration of the symptoms of the service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity during the initial rating period from February 20, 2018 to November 22, 2024, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. However, for the period beginning November 22, 2024, the criteria for a higher 70 percent rating were not met.

Claimed conditions

Unspecified anxiety disorder, Right ear hearing loss

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 25, 2025

Citation

A25102071

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine