The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, secondary to her low back condition.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating for the low back disability based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes. However, there was sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions were related to her service-connected low back disability.

Claimed conditions

lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease, acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder)

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

March 11, 2025

Citation

25003371

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