The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck condition is not service-connected, as it is more likely due to natural progression of age-related degenerative changes rather than an in-service injury or exposure. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the current cervical spine and spondylosis conditions are more likely due to natural progression with age, not related to a previous in-service injury or exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the cervical spine, Cervical spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 1, 2009
- Citation
- 0932859
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 0932859.
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 the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but denied the claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and breathing condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cervical spondylosis, right ankle disability, and upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their severity prior to September 6, 2024.,The Veteran's right lateral epicondylitis (limitation of pronation) and painful motion disabilities are also being remanded for additional examination to assess their severity prior to September 6, 2024. Effective dates will be granted upon resolution of these issues.
- Denied
The Veteran's application for PCAFC was denied because the evidence did not show that he needed personal care services due to an inability to perform ADLs or a need for supervision, protection, or instruction. The November 2022 decision by the VA found that his needs were temporary and would resolve within six months.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that new evidence supports these claims. Service connection is also granted for a musculoskeletal disability of the neck/upper back.
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