The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and a cervical disc disorder at C5-6 is granted. The issue of service connection for whiplash residuals, with numbness and pain in the elbows, forearms, and right hand (claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) will be addressed in the Remand portion of this decision.
The deciding factor: The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is manifested by full range of motion, mild arthritis, occasional complaints of pain and stiffness. The current evaluation of 10 percent is appropriate given these findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Whiplash Residuals, Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2001
- Citation
- 0102860
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0102860.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and residuals of a right ankle fracture, did not render her unemployable prior to August 11, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran was unemployable due to a nonservice-connected psychotic disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated higher than noncompensable, his right knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 16, 2019 or 30 percent from September 1, 2020, and he failed to establish service connection for chronic bronchitis (COPD), fungal infection, left knee disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left elbow disorder, or diabetes.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no persuasive evidence showing he needed regular aid and assistance from another person or was housebound as a result of his service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's diagnosis of ALS and insufficient evidence on other conditions. The issues related to sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome require additional medical opinions.
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