The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active military service or any service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that these conditions developed decades after service, and are not causally related to the service-connected right shoulder dislocation or paracervical muscle spasms.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy, spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 19, 2012
- Citation
- 1202034
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1202034.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of left hip strain and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The current rating is maintained.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are considered, but his lay statements regarding needing aid and attendance are also taken into account.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum to the May 2007 examination and ensuring that the Veteran has been provided notice consistent with the requirements of 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103(a) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(b).
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