The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a head injury, as his current neck and upper extremity symptoms are not shown to be related to the head injury sustained in service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the residual effects from the head injury were less likely caused by or a result of closed head trauma from an empty 90mm shell casing, given the long latency period between the injury and onset of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- head injury, DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease), cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2014
- Citation
- 1425159
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 1425159.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome in the left upper extremity, and the Board has dismissed this case.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, lumbar retrolisthesis, a vertebral fracture, and DDD (back disability), as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability. The decision is based on evidence showing an in-service fall causing a back injury that led to current diagnoses.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for reductions in disability ratings were dismissed because the proposed reductions were not final decisions and did not include a hearing request.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for DDD and central canal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the appellant's current disability is at least as likely caused by his in-service injury.
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