The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability but denied a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder and remanded the claim for service connection for bladder dysfunction as secondary to the low back disability.

The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's low back disability more nearly approximated the functional equivalent of favorable ankylosis during flare-ups, but without evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The evidence did not persuasively weigh in favor of a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder.

Claimed conditions

Low back disability, Generalized anxiety disorder

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

December 9, 2025

Citation

A25106099

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