The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral radiculopathy of the upper extremities and there is no evidence linking this condition to service or a service-connected disability. As such, service connection for this claim is denied.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of bilateral radiculopathy of the upper extremities that is etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral radiculopathy of the upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1647037
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 1647037.
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 service connection due to new and relevant evidence received since the July 2017 statement of the case. The cervical spine condition claim is related back to in-service neck pain, while the bilateral radiculopathy claim requires additional VA examination and private medical records.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection. His bilateral foot disability, including hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, is not related to his service-connected knee disability or any other in-service injury. The cervical spine disability is denied as there is no nexus between the current condition and service. The upper extremity radiculopathy is also denied due to lack of a direct connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support his contention that it arose during or as a result of his active service, including as secondary to his low back disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, missing records, and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran will need new examinations for his left knee, cervical spine, left shoulder, and bilateral radiculopathy of the upper extremities.
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.