The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for her thoracolumbar spine, left ankle injury, rhinitis with sinusitis, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s thoracolumbar spine disability was evaluated at 20 percent under the General Formula for Rating Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, which requires unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less. The evidence did not demonstrate such findings.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle spasms of the entire body (claimed as epilepsy), degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, residuals of a left ankle injury, chronic rhinitis with sinusitis, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1109867
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1109867.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's representative also requested reevaluation of his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that symptoms began many years after separation from service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and remanded the claim for adjustment disorder. The Veteran's radiculopathy is not shown to be related to his military service, while his adjustment disorder may be related to civilian life.
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