The Veteran's ratings for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity ulnar impaction syndrome were restored to 40%, 20%, and 30% respectively effective July 1, 2016. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability was denied.,An improvement in the Veteran’s low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity ulnar impaction syndrome was not adequately demonstrated by the evidence of record at the time of the April 2016 rating decision reducing the ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show improvement in the Veteran’s low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity ulnar impaction syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Right upper extremity ulnar impaction syndrome (initially rated as right-hand carpel tunnel syndrome (dominant)), Left wrist tendonitis with De Quervain’s syndrome and extensor carpi ulnaris tendinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20007370
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an effective date of July 31, 2012, for TDIU and October 22, 2012, for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and arthritis, to include bilateral hips and knees, due to an inadequate VA examination.
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