The Board denied service connection for degenerative changes in the neck and right upper extremity radiculopathy, but granted a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral pes cavus from August 2, 2012 to June 7, 2024.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate that the Veteran's degenerative changes in the neck or right upper extremity radiculopathy were related to service or a service-connected disability. However, between August 2012 and June 2024, his bilateral pes cavus caused significant symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes in the neck, Right upper extremity radiculopathy, Bilateral pes cavus, Bilateral pes planus, Bilateral hammer toes, Bilateral hallux valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2025
- Citation
- 25005299
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a separate 50 percent initial rating for insomnia as secondary to tinnitus, and denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The Board also granted service connection for headache disability, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include alcohol use disorder, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and PTSD was granted. Other claims for various conditions were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right foot disability, including consideration of bilateral pes planus.
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