The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical musculoskeletal disorder or compensable arthritis of the neck within one year following separation from service. The psychiatric and sleeplessness claims were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection.
The deciding factor: There is no credible evidence showing continuity of symptomatology between strained neck muscles noted in service and current cervical pathology, nor does there exist compensable arthritis of the cervical spine within one year following separation from service. The psychiatric disorder claim lacks sufficient evidence to establish a nexus with service-connected disease or injury.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical musculoskeletal disorder, psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2001
- Citation
- 0124373
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0124373.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and SMC based on housebound status and aid and attendance, with the initial decisions being in February and June 2023. The appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in September 2024.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of psychiatric disorder. Service connection was granted for heart condition, throat condition, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure in Japan. Diabetes condition is denied as there is no evidence of treatment or diagnosis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were considered permanent and total in nature as of August 6, 2020, which is the earliest date on which she can establish basic eligibility for DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss and hypertensive vascular disease/hypertension are denied. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further review.
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