The Board found that the Veteran's neurological disorder of the left upper extremity, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is not a manifestation of his service-connected cervical spine disability. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating for this condition has been denied.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinion determined that the Veteran's CTS was not caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected cervical spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2013
- Citation
- 1318833
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 1318833.
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: Granted
The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease, cervical spine is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (which includes PTSD and depression) is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's rating for degenerative joint disease of cervical spine was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent in September 2016. The reduction did not result in a reduction in his overall compensation rate, so the restoration of the 30 percent rating is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective January 6, 2020. Her degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 23, 2016.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his cervical spine disability, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, diabetes mellitus (secondary), and aid and attendance.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not rated higher than the current levels.
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