The Board has granted service connection for DJD cervical spine, right arm biceps condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and left calf fascial defect. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active service.
The deciding factor: The VA and private medical opinions provided strong evidence that the Veteran’s current conditions were caused or aggravated by his in-service injuries, including a fall from a cliff during active duty which resulted in multiple injuries, including to his cervical spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) cervical spine, Right arm biceps condition, Right shoulder condition, Left shoulder condition, Left calf fascial defect
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20024646
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 20024646.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition and left shoulder condition due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as VA failed to provide the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions to assess the nature and etiology of his conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and any evidence not considered will be reviewed by the AOJ in the adjudication of the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck conditions are not related to her active duty service, but has remanded for further examination regarding her bilateral shoulder conditions, knee conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and GERD.
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.