The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy (formerly carpal tunnel syndrome), and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show ankylosis or neurological manifestations not accounted for in other disabilities, which would warrant a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Disability, Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (formerly Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), Left Upper Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19195506
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 19195506.
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 remands the claims for service connection for GERD, OSA, a cervical spine disability, and a thyroid disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all issues as a matter of law due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's February 2023 VA Form 10182s, which attempted to concurrently elect multiple review options.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical strain, lumbar strain, and associated bilateral radicular disabilities.
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