The Board has determined that the Veteran's left arm, shoulder, elbow, hand, and wrist disabilities, to include cervical spine disc disease with radiculopathy, are not etiologically related to his active service. The Veteran does not have a current free-standing diagnosis of a sleep disorder.
The deciding factor: The July 2009 VA examination report indicated that the Veteran's left arm, shoulder, elbow, hand, and wrist disabilities were less likely than not associated with his in-service motor vehicle accident, which occurred in 1974 or 1975. The examiner also noted a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- left arm, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, cervical spine disc disease with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2016
- Citation
- 1628580
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1628580.
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: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no substitute has been filed within the required timeframe.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's left arm and shoulder conditions are being reviewed, along with his claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral ankle, shoulder, and back disabilities was dismissed due to the failure to timely file a VA Form 10182 within one year of the December 1997 rating decision.
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