The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical and thoracic strain with osteophytes, and anxiety disorder. The maximum schedular ratings were assigned.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture for the lumbar spine, nor did it show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome having a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks during the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- myofascial pain syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical and thoracic strain with osteophytes, anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 19, 2005
- Citation
- 0534060
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 0534060.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the VA audiological examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded for an adequate VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression is also remanded as there are insufficient competent medical evidence on file.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, specifically anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, which is found to be due to military sexual trauma experienced during service. The decision also notes that the Veteran's reports of in-service personal assault are credible and supported by medical opinions.
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