The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability due to the evidence being in relative equipoise.

The deciding factor: Based on the private psychologist's opinion, the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's depressive and anxiety disorders are secondary to his service-connected low back disability, thus granting service connection under the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.

Claimed conditions

depressive disorder, anxiety disorder

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

100%

Decision date

October 8, 2025

Citation

A25087063

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