The Veteran's cervical strain and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings.,An effective date of April 14, 2023 has been established for the grant of a 30 percent rating for cervical strain. The earlier effective dates for cervical radiculopathy were denied.,TDIU was dismissed without prejudice.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical strain and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have met the criteria for increased ratings under the applicable VA Rating Schedule, with moderate incomplete paralysis of the middle radicular nerve group in both upper extremities. The effective dates are based on when entitlement arose.,The effective date was set at April 14, 2023 as this is when the Veteran's claim for a higher rating first became factually ascertainable and within one year of his initial claim.,TDIU was addressed in a separate docket.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical strain, Cervical radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2026
- Citation
- A26003396
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 A26003396.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain, service connection for left leg pain (claimed as joint pain), and service connection for a left ear hearing condition are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, low back disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral nerve disability, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve disability. The conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.
- Granted
Service connection for PTSD, to include depression is granted.,Service connection for blisters of bilateral feet is denied.,Service connection for cervical strain is denied.,Service connection for headaches is denied.,Service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff injury is denied.,Service connection for chest injury and lumbar strain are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical strain and vitreous floaters have been granted service connection as they are directly related to his military service.
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