The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine/neck disability due to lack of current evidence of disease or injury, and because there was no showing that pain alone could be compensable in the absence of an in-service disease or injury.
The deciding factor: There is no competent evidence of a current cervical spine/neck disease or injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine/neck disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2002
- Citation
- 0203446
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 0203446.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine/neck disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (including as secondary to the now service-connected cervical spine disability), headaches disability (including as secondary to the now service-connected cervical spine disability), left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, and left knee disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine/neck, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for pelvic endometriosis is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Graves' disease, colitis, cervical spine/neck disability, back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left lower leg/shin disability, and right lower leg/shin disability is remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, cervical spine/neck, bilateral ankle, cardiovascular, bilateral plantar fasciitis with fallen arches, vertigo, sleep apnea, right inguinal hernia, and skin disability of the feet. The claims are being remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.
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.