The veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The RO has granted a 20 percent rating for the cervical spine since April 30, 2005, effective from March 29, 2003. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for each upper extremity radiculopathy associated with service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.
The deciding factor: The veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood was found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability due to the psychiatric symptoms being related to the physical pain and disability of his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment Disorder with Depressed and Anxious Mood, Degenerative Disc Disease of Cervical Spine, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis or Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2007
- Citation
- 0702895
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 0702895.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there has been no significant change in his symptoms within the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and for further medical examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected left hip, shoulder and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical evidence or clarification of the disability ratings.
- Granted
The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that it would warrant a higher rating. The VA has granted a 50% disability evaluation for this period.
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