The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for left arm and hand numbness was denied. An effective date of January 2, 2017, was granted for an increased rating in the Veteran’s lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging.,An effective date of January 2, 2017, was granted for a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy. An effective date prior to March 13, 2017, was denied for an increased rating in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion and stenosis.,An effective date of March 13, 2017, was granted for a separate compensable rating for right arm nerve impingement. An effective date prior to March 13, 2017, was denied for an increased rating in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion and stenosis.,A rating of more than 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging since January 2, 2017, and a rating of more than 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy since January 2, 2017, were denied.,A rating of 30 percent for GERD since March 13, 2017, and a rating of 50 percent for PTSD since March 13, 2017, were granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were either denied or not supported by the evidence provided.
- Claimed conditions
- left arm and hand numbness, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion, stenosis, and bulging, right arm nerve impingement, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18155007
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 18155007.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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