The Board granted restoration of the 40 percent rating for left arm, effective July 14, 2021, and denied an increased rating greater than 20 percent for radiculopathy right arm. The claim for an increased rating for cervical spine was remanded.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the Veteran's left arm ratings was improper due to insufficient evidence of actual improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work, while there was no significant improvement in the right arm condition to warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy left upper extremity, Radiculopathy right upper extremity, Intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2025
- Citation
- A25049880
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 a 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, effective February 14, 2020. The decision also granted service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy, as well as TDIU.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 25, 2012 for the Veteran's service connection for radiculopathy in both upper extremities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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