The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for bladder impairment associated with lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with lumbar spasm with IVDS is denied. The initial 10 percent rating for costochondritis with rib subluxation and left breast numbness prior to September 22, 2014, is granted, but the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an association between the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with lumbar spasm with IVDS and any bladder impairment. The May 2022 VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding whether any incontinence was caused or aggravated by her back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Bladder Impairment, Lumbosacral Degenerative Arthritis with Lumbar Spasm with IVDS, Costochondritis with Rib Subluxation and Left Breast Numbness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 30, 2023
- Citation
- 23047808
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 23047808.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records, including those from her time working as a government contractor in Spain. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 to apply for TDIU.
- Denied
The Board denied a separate disability rating for bladder dysfunction secondary to service-connected low back strain, citing evidence that the Veteran's symptoms were not related to her service-connected condition.
- Denied
The Board denied a separate compensable rating for bladder impairment associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an association between the two conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to assess his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and for consideration of his TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues.
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