The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and arthritis and bursitis of the left AC joint, both attributed to service. The disability ratings were not increased.
The deciding factor: The VA neurologist provided opinions attributing the Veteran's symptoms to his service-connected cervical spine condition and service history, leading to a grant for radiculopathy and arthritis/bursitis.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, arthritis and bursitis of the left AC joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20075565
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 20075565.
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 sleep apnea as secondary to multiple service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities and low back condition. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to his inability to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Board has dismissed this issue.
- Denied
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8511.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8511.,The Veteran's TMJ disorder is currently rated at 20 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 15, 2013 for the grant of service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The initial rating for a left shoulder disability remains at 20 percent. The claim for TDIU earlier than September 25, 2020 is denied.
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