The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's C6 compression fracture of the cervical spine and degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his active service. The issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disabilities and his military service, thus applying the benefit-of-the-doubt rule to grant service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- C6 compression fracture of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19149578
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine, and also denied increased ratings for traumatic brain injury and total disability rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date for posttraumatic stress disorder with opioid use disorder was also denied.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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