The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left hand radiculopathy are related to his service as a Naval Aviator. The lumbar spine disorder is not shown during service or within one year of separation, but is considered a natural progression of biomechanical injuries incurred in service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy are related to his duties as an F-14 pilot, while the lumbar spine disorder is attributed to post-service employment as a commercial airline pilot.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, Left upper extremity radiculopathy (likely secondary to cervical spine disorder), Left hand radiculopathy (likely secondary to cervical spine disorder), Lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2018
- Citation
- 1804056
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 1804056.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) from November 30, 2021.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 21, 2015.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.
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