The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reconsider his previously denied claim for service connection for chronic degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and nerve damage to the cervical spine, left shoulder, and left arm, claimed as secondary to surgical removal of ribs (now, status post removal of the first and cervical ribs for thoracic outlet syndrome).
The deciding factor: New evidence received since the original February 2004 decision includes relevant service department records that existed but were not previously associated with the claims file.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, nerve damage to the cervical spine, left shoulder, and left arm
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2015
- Citation
- 1547000
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 1547000.
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 has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and private medical records.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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