The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left palmar median nerve neuropathy was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with polysubstance abuse prior to April 30, 2014 and from August 1, 2014, was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left palmar median nerve neuropathy is currently rated at 10% due to mild incomplete paralysis of the left median nerve. The examiner found no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis, which would warrant a higher rating.,For PTSD with polysubstance abuse, the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher as they resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.
- Claimed conditions
- left palmar median nerve neuropathy, acquired psychiatric disability (posttraumatic stress disorder with polysubstance abuse), low back strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20071213
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 20071213.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for migraines, including migraine variants, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and granted a TDIU rating on an accrued basis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and low back disabilities to obtain additional medical opinions addressing functional loss during flareups and with repeated use over time.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all issues on appeal.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 28, 2014 for a 20% rating for service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease is granted.,The Board has also remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for residuals, neck injury, and entitlement to service connection for jaw fracture residuals.
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