The Veteran's appeal for TDIU, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right shoulder rotator cuff strain has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for left upper extremity neuropathy and right shoulder rotator cuff strain have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right shoulder rotator cuff strain has been dismissed.,A 20 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,A 20 percent rating is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The 40 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was reduced to 20 percent, and the reduction has been restored.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew her appeals for TDIU, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right shoulder rotator cuff strain.,The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for left upper extremity neuropathy and right shoulder rotator cuff strain were dismissed due to the reduction in ratings being improper.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right shoulder rotator cuff strain was dismissed as it was not related to service connection issues.,Based on the evidence, the Board found that the Veteran's radiculopathy is primarily manifest by subjective complaints of pain and sensory disturbances of mild to moderate severity. The most probative evidence does not support a higher rating for either lower extremity.,The reduction in the 40 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was improper, as there was no improvement in the condition that would justify the reduction.
- Claimed conditions
- left upper extremity neuropathy, right shoulder rotator cuff strain, chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26038117
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 A26038117.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including SMC based on loss of use of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as rating increases for various neuropathies. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions have manifested with the loss of use of his hands, legs, and feet.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of the left upper extremity is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding her service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and associated neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities are granted with a 60 percent disability rating, effective October 21, 2019.
- Denied
The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea were denied as they are not related to his service.,Service connection was not granted for these conditions because the evidence does not show a nexus between the current disabilities and any in-service injury or disease.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.