The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that his service connection claims for cervical spine strain and bilateral peripheral neuropathy are not supported by evidence. His adjustment disorder with depressed mood, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left ankle strain, and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability claims have been addressed but do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine strain and bilateral peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no evidence to support a secondary service connection theory. His adjustment disorder with depressed mood, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left ankle strain, and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability claims do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine strain, Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2018
- Citation
- 1814368
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 1814368.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine strain, right wrist sprain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The disabilities are all deemed to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disorder, as it is insufficiently addressed in the previous decision. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's cervical spine strain from October 24, 2011. The effective date is set at that time.
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