The Board granted a 40 percent rating for cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and a 30 percent rating for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, but denied an increased rating for the cervical spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to the lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, or symptoms of ankylosis. However, his cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities met the criteria for increased ratings based on moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, Cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25022866
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and right leg nerve disability as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals at a December 2024 Board hearing. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.
- 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 Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, and right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for sinusitis. The left ear hearing loss claim was remanded.
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