The Board denied service connection for a bilateral big toe disability, finding no current diagnosis separate from already service-connected conditions. The right shoulder radiculopathy claim was granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected neck disability.,For the left shoulder disability, an initial 10% rating is granted effective prior to January 6, 2014, and a higher rating is denied throughout the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a current bilateral big toe disorder separate from service-connected conditions. The right upper extremity radiculopathy was found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected neck disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral big toe disorder, Right upper extremity radiculopathy (claimed as right shoulder disability)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18148443
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 18148443.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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