The Veteran's initial evaluation for left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted at a 10 percent rating prior to February 7, 2013. From that date forward, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased evaluation.,For cervical spine degenerative disc disease, the Veteran is denied any increase in his disability rating from March 26, 2014 and until September 15, 2016. A remand was ordered for a determination on whether he should be assigned a higher rating after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease with limitation of motion is currently rated at 30 percent from September 16, 2016 and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if a higher evaluation is warranted.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an increase in the Veteran's disability rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy beyond the initial 10 percent assigned prior to February 7, 2013. The Board found that his symptoms were most closely approximated by mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,For cervical spine degenerative disc disease with limitation of motion, the Veteran's disability rating was denied as there is no evidence of severe incomplete or complete paralysis of the left upper extremity. The remand ordered to determine if a higher evaluation should be assigned after September 16, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Left upper extremity radiculopathy, Cervical spine degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20030863
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 20030863.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for a groin condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they were received more than one year after her intent to file a claim, and no good cause extension was requested.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
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