The Board found no evidence of chronic symptoms or disease during service, and the current degenerative changes in the cervical spine are not related to active service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not experience chronic neck/cervical pain during service, nor do the medical records show continuous or chronic symptoms since service separation. The examiner opined that the current degenerative changes of the cervical spine are more likely related to work-related injuries rather than service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of Cervical Spine, Degenerative Disc Disease of Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1502683
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1502683.
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 Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there has been no significant change in his symptoms within the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected left hip, shoulder and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical evidence or clarification of the disability ratings.
- Whole decision: Granted
The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease, cervical spine is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (which includes PTSD and depression) is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's rating for degenerative joint disease of cervical spine was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent in September 2016. The reduction did not result in a reduction in his overall compensation rate, so the restoration of the 30 percent rating is granted.
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