The Veteran's cervical disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral shin splints or tibial stress fractures are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for a cervical disability due to active service. The Veteran also has secondary service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy related to his cervical disability. Service connection is not established for bilateral shin splints or tibial stress fractures.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows the Veteran had complaints of neck pain and associated upper extremity symptoms since at least 2003, with diagnoses made in service and post-service treatment records showing continued complaints. The VA examiners provided positive opinions linking these conditions to his active service.,There is no clear evidence for bilateral shin splints or tibial stress fractures; the Veteran's history includes a femur fracture at age 10 treated with a cast, but no current diagnosis of such injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Disability, Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy, Bilateral Shin Splints or Tibial Stress Fractures
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20036510
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 20036510.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment, and he is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no persuasive evidence showing he needed regular aid and assistance from another person or was housebound as a result of his service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU effective date is granted as of June 1, 2009. The Board found that the functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since that date.
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