The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of a current disability, and the Board found no evidence linking her symptoms to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for an increased rating for hallux valgus of the right foot, post-operative, was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition has worsened beyond what is expected with normal aging.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy rather than radiculopathy or radiculopathy-related conditions. The Board found insufficient medical evidence linking her current disabilities to service, particularly as she did not have a current diagnosis of radiculopathy. For the increased rating claim for hallux valgus, the Veteran's condition was considered stable and no additional functional impairment beyond what is expected with normal aging was shown.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (claimed as radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities), hallux valgus of the right foot, post-operative
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080412
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,828 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20080412.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain a gainful occupation for the period from August 27, 2009, to February 27, 2020.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a neck disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, while denying service connection for a bilateral elbow condition and a bladder condition. The Board also granted ratings in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the right knee from March 16, 2021, and separate 20 percent ratings for meniscus conditions of both knees.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spondylosis and discogenic disease as due to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, but denied service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities.
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