The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury and excision of a soft tissue mass of the occipital region, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her active military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not include a nexus opinion relating current residuals of a cervical spine disability to active service. The VA found that the veteran's spine and musculoskeletal system were deemed normal at military examinations from January 1982 to September 1991, and she continued to deny a history of recurrent back pain or bone, joint, or other deformity.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a cervical spine injury, Excision of a soft tissue mass of the occipital region
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2001
- Citation
- 0127755
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 0127755.
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 granted service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric pathology.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, lumbar spine strain, and limitations of extension and flexion in both knees with arthritis, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reviewed again, and additional medical records may need to be obtained.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including post-traumatic headaches, trauma to the dorsolumbar region with myositis, and cervical spine injuries.
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