The Board granted a 20 percent rating for cervical strain and a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy, effective from February 18, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of painful limitation of motion with forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees and a combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees warranted a higher rating under DC 5237. For the right upper extremity radiculopathy, moderate neuralgia, neuritis, and moderate incomplete paralysis were present.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain, right (major) upper extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25051491
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, but remanded claims for service connection for sinusitis, calcified lymph nodes on the lungs, and cervical strain.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an earlier effective date for a left shoulder disability was dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left hip condition, right hip condition, cervical strain, and back condition due to an incomplete duty to assist error in failing to afford the Veteran VA examinations.
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