The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is rated at 20 percent, the maximum under the rating criteria. The Board finds no evidence of a current right-hand disability separate from his already service-connected right thumb disorder and denied this claim. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disease, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and elbow conditions are all rated as they currently manifest.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a current right-hand disability that is separate from his already service-connected right thumb disorder. His lumbar strain is rated at its maximum under the rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2022
- Citation
- 22017807
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 22017807.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, lumbar spine strain, and depression as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board requires an adequate VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require the aid and attendance of another.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and lumbar spine strain, as well as her claim for service connection for hypertension, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Her TDIU claim is also being remanded in conjunction with these other claims.
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