The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is service-connected, but his shoulder disability is not.
The deciding factor: VA medical records show treatment for back pain during active duty and post-service diagnosis of cervical spine degenerative joint disease. The VA examiner concluded this condition was related to spinal pain while in military service. However, there is no evidence linking the current shoulder disabilities (left bicipital tendonitis and myofascial pain syndrome) to his service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, left bicipital tendonitis, right shoulder myofascial pain syndrome, degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2003
- Citation
- 0306139
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 0306139.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a right knee meniscal tear to include degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's in-service injury led to his current condition.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent disabling for the Veteran's right shoulder, effective November 22, 2011.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbosacral strain, based on the Veteran's consistent account of having low back problems since service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for left bicipital tendonitis and fibromyalgia, but restored a 50 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, heel spurs, and right foot arthritis effective June 1, 2022.
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