An increased rating of 80 percent for neuropathy of the left brachial plexus is granted as of October 6, 2017. The Veteran's psychiatric disability has been rated at 100 percent.,The SMC claim is remanded due to the presence of additional service-connected disabilities and potential confinement issues.
The deciding factor: For neuropathy of the left brachial plexus, the evidence shows that symptoms have more nearly approximated complete paralysis as of October 6, 2017. For psychiatric disability, the Veteran's symptomatology has met total occupational and social impairment criteria.,The SMC claim is remanded to determine if there are separate and distinct service-connected disabilities and whether the Veteran is permanently confined to his house.
- Claimed conditions
- Neuropathy of the left brachial plexus, Psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- October 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18145710
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 18145710.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise the May 2013 rating decision that denied a TDIU, finding no clear and unmistakable error.
- Denied
The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the lowest possible rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were intermittent and did not significantly impair his occupational or social functioning.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his psychiatric disability was the initial decision, and thus attorney fees are not eligible based on past due benefits awarded in April 2025.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has been rated at 100 percent, and he is already receiving special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). Therefore, there remains no issue for the Board to resolve regarding entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
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