The Board denied service connection for arthralgia of the upper extremities and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy of the upper extremities, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the current herniated cervical intervertebral disc with radiculopathy was less likely than not caused by or a result of anything related to the veteran's service. There is no competent medical evidence relating any current upper extremity arthralgia disorder or degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy of the upper extremities to the veteran's period of active service.
- Claimed conditions
- arthralgia of the upper extremities, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy of the upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2009
- Citation
- 0902840
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 granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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.