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 assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080412
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,828 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20080412.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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