A 30 percent rating for cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) from May 18, 2018 is granted.,A 20 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to November 8, 2019 and a 30 percent rating thereafter is granted.,A rating higher than 40 percent for skin sores from August 13, 2018 is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s cervical spine more closely approximated forward flexion limited to 15 degrees as of May 18, 2018, warranting a 30 percent rating.,Prior to November 8, 2019, the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was found to be mild incomplete paralysis; thereafter, moderate incomplete paralysis was shown. A 30 percent rating is warranted for moderate incomplete paralysis of the minor arm as per DC 8511.,The Veteran’s skin sores have not been shown to contain characteristic lesions, require systemic therapy, have tissue loss, or any characteristic of disfigurement.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), Right upper extremity radiculopathy, Skin sores
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21024940
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 21024940.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on all issues related to his service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted a 40 percent rating, and the left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted a 30 percent rating. The cervical spine degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 14, 2016 for the service connection of right upper extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected neck condition and lumbosacral strain, respectively.
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