Citation Nr: 21026838
Decision Date: 05/04/21	Archive Date: 05/04/21

DOCKET NO. 17-52 053
DATE: May 4, 2021

REMANDED

An initial rating higher than 20 percent for cervical radiculopathy left upper extremity associated with degenerative arthritis cervical spine (hereafter left upper extremity radiculopathy) is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served honorably on active duty in the United States Army from October 1970 to October 1973. 

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2016 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

The Veteran attended a virtual hearing before the undersigned in April 2021.

At his April 2021 hearing, the Veteran testified that his left upper extremity radiculopathy has increased in severity since he was last examined by VA.  The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his left upper extremity radiculopathy.

 

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected left upper extremity radiculopathy.  The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran's disability under the rating criteria.  

 

 

JOHN Z. JONES

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Michael Chandeck, Associate Counsel

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.