The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for a lumbar spine disability was not reopened, while the claims for right shoulder, cervical spine, and bilateral hand disabilities were not granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted with a 20% rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records did not show any chronic low back disability in service or otherwise relate his current lumbar spine disability to his active service. The right shoulder, cervical spine, and bilateral hand disabilities were not shown as incurred during service or due to a service-connected condition. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted based on their relationship to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2014
- Citation
- 1401046
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 1401046.
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 Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claims of service connection for cervical spine and skin rash disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
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