CAVC Case 20-5520: Anxiety
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2020-04-08 · PIETSCH, Judge
This is a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — the federal court that reviews Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions, one level above the Board. Court decisions can vacate, reverse, or affirm what the Board did.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Conditions Claimed
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Issues on Appeal
Back ConditionService ConnectionEffective DateIncreased Rating
Why It Was Decided This Way
The appellant's claims for an increased initial rating for surgical scars of the abdomen and flank and an insomnia disorder,for new VA examinations;the Board noted that recent submissions by the [v]eteran and his attorney have asserted that his symptomatology .
June 2018 Board Decision and August 2019 Court Remand In a June 2018 decision,the Board denied an initial disability rating higher than 10%for an insomnia disorder and denied an initial disability rating higher than 10% for surgical scars of the abdomen and flank.
The Board denied an initial disability rating higher than 10%for surgical scars of the left abdomen and left flank,explaining that the appellant.
The Board noted that rating decisions of February 2019 and August 2019 addressed entitlement to an increased rating for scars but that the Board would not address these rating decisions because they are not currently before the Board for review.
The Board found that his limitations were analogous to a moderate injury of Muscle Group XIX and warranted a separate 10%rating but no higher under DC 5319 for the entire appeal period.
The appellant argues that in denying an initial disability rating higher than 30%for an insomnia disorder,the Board failed to discuss his reports of panic attacks,relied on inadequate examinations,and failed to explain why it did not enforce substantial compliance with its previous remand.
The appellant asserts that the Board erred in limiting consideration of a higher initial rating for surgical scars of the left abdomen and left flank to the period before December 2018.
He also asserts that the Board erred in failing to obtain a new examination to determine the extent of his abdominal muscle disability and thereby failed to ensure substantial compliance with prior Board and Court remands.
Authorities Cited
Denial Type
Non Denial Outcome
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