The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder, finding it not factually ascertainable that the condition manifested with occupational and social impairment in most areas prior to October 7, 2024.,The Board also denied entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for IVDS with bilateral facet arthropathy (back), as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes during the appeal period.,For left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, the Board denied entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent, noting that the Veteran did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on incomplete paralysis severity.
The deciding factor: The effective date claim was denied because it is not factually ascertainable that generalized anxiety disorder manifested with occupational and social impairment in most areas prior to October 7, 2024.,The back disability rating claim was denied as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes during the appeal period.,Radiculopathy ratings were denied due to lack of meeting criteria for higher ratings based on incomplete paralysis severity.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder, IVDS with bilateral facet arthropathy (back), Left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity raduculpopathy, sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2026
- Citation
- A26009917
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 A26009917.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is related to his active-duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective December 14, 2021. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and ADHD, finding that these conditions had onset during his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, arrhythmia, cardiac amyloidosis, and CAD/arteriosclerotic heart disease are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
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