The Veteran's radiculopathy of both upper extremities is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back sprain.,The VA examiner concluded that the claimed left lower extremity radiculopathy is less likely than not secondary to the service-connected low back sprain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's radiculopathy of both upper extremities was found to be unrelated to his service-connected low back sprain, as evidenced by a VA examination in February 2007 which concluded that the radiculopathy is a different disease entity unrelated from service-connected low back sprain.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2014
- Citation
- 1401080
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1401080.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a higher level of SMC at the intermediary level N1/2 from October 20, 2020 to June 7, 2022. This decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dismissed the appeals regarding cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for neck disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities due to insufficient development. The Veteran's current neck disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to an in-service injury or event, despite credible lay statements of continuity of symptoms since service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various lower and upper extremity disorders, as well as a left shoulder disorder, to allow for additional development. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.