The Board granted service connection for cervical spine strain, finding that the veteran's condition had its onset in service.
The deciding factor: The veteran's SMRs document cervical spine complaints during service and a diagnosis of cervical spine strain on October 2003 VA examination. The record supports continuity of symptoms since service.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine strain, lumbosacral disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2008
- Citation
- 0811487
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, left upper extremity peripheral nerve condition, and right upper extremity peripheral nerve condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical spine strain, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraine headaches, and depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure proper due process, including adequate requests for service and medical records, and adequate medical examinations based upon an accurate record.
- Denied
The Board denied restoration of the 20 percent ratings for cervical spine strain, thoracolumbar strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to improvement in the disabilities under ordinary conditions of life and work.
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