The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle tension, finding that it is a symptom of her already service-connected cervical spine spondylosis and bilateral shoulder arthritis. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating for acne vulgaris will be addressed in a separate decision.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's muscle tension was a symptom of her service-connected cervical spine spondylosis with muscle spasms and bilateral shoulder arthritis, which precludes separate service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- muscle tension, cervical spine spondylosis with muscle spasms, bilateral shoulder arthritis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2017
- Citation
- 1702798
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 1702798.
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 Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions including bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, neck pain, arthritis of the low back, and right hand arthritis due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding the onset and chronicity of symptoms.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has found that the Veteran experienced arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, hips, lumbar spine, and left knee since active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis due to an inadequate VA examination and potential outstanding private records.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hip arthritis, but denied service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis. The decision also denied increased ratings for knee disabilities and a compensable rating for PFB.
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