The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Persistent Depressive Disorder with Alcohol Use Disorder) prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Additionally, he has an additional service-connected disability (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) that is independently rated at 60 percent, meeting the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric disability results in severe occupational and social impairment, preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The additional service-connected disability (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) meets the requirement of being independently rated at 60 percent, involving different anatomical segments or bodily systems.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder with Alcohol Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- April 14, 2026
- Citation
- A26034322
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 A26034322.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depression, and Panic Disorder due to his withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.
- 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.
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