The Board has determined that service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and right elbow and forearm tendonitis is not warranted, but has granted restoration of a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected rotator cuff syndrome of the right shoulder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine conditions are not shown to be related to his in-service injury or disease. The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine and elbow conditions are more likely due to post-service degenerative changes rather than a connection to his service-connected rotator cuff syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, Cervical canal stenosis, Moderate-to-severe spondylotic changes of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 22, 2010
- Citation
- 1010715
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 1010715.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability as further development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, bilateral trochanteric pain syndrome, and a gastrointestinal disability, to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 26, 2022, for referral to the Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration.
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.