The Board has determined that the Veteran's neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is as likely as not related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The rating assigned for the service-connected lumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The May 2012 VA examiner provided a supplemental medical opinion stating that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is at least as likely as not related to intervertebral disc syndrome, which is one of the complications of this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 25, 2016
- Citation
- 1612164
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 1612164.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right ear hearing loss, bilateral elbow, hand, knee, and shoulder disabilities, hemorrhoids, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and thoracic aortic aneurysm. The appeals are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied as there is no evidence of a TBI during or after service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory/lung disability, neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for low back disability is remanded. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.
- Denied
The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current cervical spine, low back, bilateral hip, and upper extremity neuropathy disabilities and his military service. The repetitive lifting and handling of heavy objects during active duty are not considered to have caused or aggravated any of these conditions.
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