The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined it was less likely than not that the current cervical spine disability was incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury. There is no competent medical evidence relating the Veteran's current back disability to service, and his symptoms are more likely related to post-service injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine condition, Acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2024
- Citation
- 24000065
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 Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding a causal relationship between the condition and an in-service incident of military sexual trauma (MST).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Dismissed
The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran before the Board promulgated a decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 29, 2019 for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied earlier effective dates and increased ratings for other conditions.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.