The Board finds the evidence is evenly balanced regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease are proximately due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The Veteran meets the current disability requirement, and his assertions support a finding that his neck disabilities developed as a result of compensating for back pain.
The deciding factor: The Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant's assertion that his cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease are proximately due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, and grants service connection on a secondary basis.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 25, 2016
- Citation
- 1621186
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 1621186.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The claims for back pain and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, thoracic strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia patella, left knee degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia patella, left ankle ganglion cyst and ruptured saphenous vein, and left great toe matrixectomy with a left medial foot scar. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in gainful employment as of January 1, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.
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.