The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date prior to March 9, 2020, for increased ratings of his right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: It was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy increased in severity within the one-year lookback period.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25047234
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 restored the 50% rating for cervicogenic headaches and the 40% rating for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, effective February 1, 2025, as the reductions were not proper. The reduction of the left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy to 0% was upheld.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and generalized anxiety disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to a lack of evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for service-connected right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent.
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.