The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected chronic low back strain and bilateral tinnitus, as well as her claim to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for hearing loss. The decision also addressed issues of service connection for various other conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of medical documentation supporting more severe disability levels or functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral foot disorder (hallux valgus), bilateral hip disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2014
- Citation
- 1437029
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 1437029.
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 remanded the claims for a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral hip disorder are related to his service-connected Crohn's disease.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's cause of death due to these conditions is also recognized.
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