The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition present during service and insufficient continuity of symptomatology after service to establish service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s current cervical spine disabilities were less likely than not incurred in or caused by his in-service injury due to lack of early diagnosis and progression of degenerative joint disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Arthritis, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21004998
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 21004998.
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: Granted
The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected GERD and tinnitus. The initial rating for IVDS is granted at 40 percent.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and upper extremity radiculopathy are rated at the lowest available levels, with no higher ratings granted due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied prior to March 17, 2017 due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. From March 17, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU based solely on his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.,The Veteran is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate since November 22, 2017 due to his combined rating of 100 percent and other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.
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