The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no objective evidence supporting a direct relationship between the Veteran's current cervical spine condition and an in-service lightning strike or fall. The examiner also noted that the Veteran's degenerative changes were more likely due to age-related factors such as occupation, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint and Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22053178
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 22053178.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. A separate 20 percent rating for sleep impairment and muscle atrophy due to cervical spine disability is granted. Right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to November 8, 2016, is also granted a 40 percent rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck condition was granted, and he is now entitled to a 10 percent rating for his degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine. Other claims were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings are remanded due to inadequate consideration of extraschedular criteria, lack of discussion regarding marked interference with employment, and need for additional examinations. The case is being referred back to the Director of Compensation Service for further review.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. He was previously awarded a 30% rating for PTSD effective July 28, 2011.
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