The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's cervical spondylosis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board does not find any basis for an increased rating.,The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes as defined by VA. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The evidence does not show forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, nor favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. Therefore, the current 20 percent rating is maintained.,There is no evidence showing complete paralysis of radicular groups in either upper extremity. The Veteran's left and right upper extremity disabilities are rated at their maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of complete paralysis in the radicular group.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, Cervical spondylosis, Left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy, Right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20031507
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 20031507.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied by the Board. The evidence does not support a finding of severe incomplete paralysis, leading to a rating higher than 40 percent for the right hand or 30 percent for the left hand.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but denied the claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and breathing condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right knee chondromalacia medial femoral condyle with acute bursitis, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Board found that the supplemental claim received by VA on January 5, 2024 constitutes the date of claim for these conditions. The effective dates cannot be earlier than this date due to the final nature of previous decisions.
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