The Veteran was granted a rating of 20 percent for cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity from July 10, 2006 to April 23, 2012.,From July 7, 2011 to July 13, 2016, the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent. From July 14, 2016 to June 9, 2020, it was rated noncompensable.,The Veteran's cervical spondylosis from June 7, 2011 to May 24, 2016 and August 1, 2016 to present was granted a rating of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate moderate incomplete paralysis of the upper left radicular group for this period on appeal.,Both July 2016 and September 2019 VA examinations noted that the Veteran's cervical spine surgery resolved his radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, making it asymptomatic.,The initial noncompensable rating from July 10, 2006 to April 23, 2012 was based on evidence without noting symptoms related to the disability. The subsequent April 2012 VA neurosurgery report confirmed mild symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical radiculopathy, Cervical spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21030252
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 21030252.
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 separate ratings of 30 percent for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy and 40 percent for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, effective March 16, 2017.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history.
- Granted
The Veteran's ratings for cervical radiculopathy in both upper extremities were reduced from 40% and 30%, respectively, to 20%. The Board found that the procedural requirements for reduction of disability ratings were not properly followed and restored the original ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision. The claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence, including lay statements and medical opinions.
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