The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of whiplash injury of the cervical spine and left upper extremity paresthesia, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical records showed that the Veteran's symptoms were consistent with degenerative changes in his cervical spine and mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve in his left upper extremity. These findings did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of whiplash injury of the cervical spine, left upper extremity paresthesia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2011
- Citation
- 1119029
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 1119029.
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: Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome and left upper extremity paresthesia was dismissed due to a late filing.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension. The claims for initial disability ratings and service connection for right upper extremity paresthesia, left upper extremity paresthesia, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain. The claims for increased ratings were remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
All appeals listed were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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