The Board denied service connection for neck/cervical spine disorder, neurological disorder of the left upper extremity, and neurological disorder of the right upper extremity as there was no evidence that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA board-certified orthopedic surgeon opined that the Veteran's current neck and arm disorders are not caused by his service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- neck/cervical spine disorder, neurological disorder of the left upper extremity, neurological disorder of the right upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18153133
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 18153133.
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: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for neurological disorders of the right upper, left lower, and right lower extremities as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, TBI, and a neck/cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion for neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities on a direct basis, to include consideration of the Veteran's presumed in-service exposure to environmental hazards during his period of service in the Persian Gulf War, should have been provided prior to the July 2019 VA rating decision on appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and for reopening his claims for service connection for neurological disorders of the left upper and lower extremities. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.
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.