The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher rating, finding that his left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to May 12, 2024, and 60 percent from May 12, 2024.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed moderate incomplete paralysis with sensory symptoms primarily affecting the upper, middle, and lower radicular groups, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8513.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the left upper extremity (LUE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2025
- Citation
- 25012485
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,050 · 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 25012485.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with TBI, a 20 percent rating effective July 13, 2023 for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and thoracic disc degeneration, and a separate 10 percent rating effective July 13, 2023 for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Board denied higher ratings for cervical spine conditions, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and other conditions including hearing loss, fractured finger, and deviated nasal septum, while remanding two issues for further consideration.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of radiculopathy in the left and right upper extremities to correct a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied a higher rating for the cervical spine disability prior to June 3, 2022 and remanded the issues of increased ratings for lumbar and LLE radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the rating reductions were not proper. The appeals are remanded to further develop evidence.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.