The Board denied service connection for cervical spine strain and degenerative changes, as well as thoracic spine arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service or service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' opinions were found most persuasive due to their expertise in evaluating the disabilities in question, and they supported their opinions with cogent rationale. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to idiopathic causes and age-related degeneration rather than service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine strain, Degenerative changes in cervical spine, Arthritis in thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19124532
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine strains, TMJ disorder, dermatitis of the face, right knee chondromalacia grade II with patellar tendonitis, medial meniscal derangement, and Baker's cyst, and bilateral hearing loss. However, service connection was granted for radicular pain paresthesia of the right upper extremity.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia as well as cervical spine strain, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. A 40 percent rating was assigned for gastritis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased initial ratings for cervical spine strain and cervicothoracic radiculopathy of both upper extremities, as well as service connection for right hand and wrist pain. The left hand disability was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
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