The Veteran's lumbar fibromyositis, external hemorrhoids, and chronic maxillary sinusitis have been rated appropriately. The issues of service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and for neuropathy and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities remain unresolved.
The deciding factor: The VA examination did not provide a clear opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities, which are necessary to grant service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Fibromyositis, External Hemorrhoids, Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis, Neuropathy Left Upper Extremity, Neuropathy Right Upper Extremity, Neuropathy and Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Neuropathy and Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2018
- Citation
- 1816298
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1816298.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions and SMC at the housebound rate as of January 31, 2024.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for GERD and a 50 percent evaluation for cluster headaches, but denied an increased rating for right foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran was also granted a 10 percent evaluation for external hemorrhoids effective May 19, 2024.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder, denied compensable ratings for external hemorrhoids and sinusitis, granted service connection for migraine headaches secondary to sinusitis, and granted service connection for left foot and left shoulder conditions. The claims for increased ratings for urethral stricture, lumbosacral strain, and ulnar neuropathy were remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted higher initial ratings of 70 percent for PTSD and 30 percent for chronic maxillary sinusitis, effective February 14, 2022.
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