The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic neck disorder in service or shortly thereafter and that the persuasive balance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's cervical strain is etiologically related to active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's cervical strain was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness. The Board found this opinion persuasive given the absence of evidence of medical encounters for evaluation or treatment for neck or upper back related conditions in service and the lack of credible reports of chronic neck pain since active service.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25025775
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, but remanded claims for service connection for sinusitis, calcified lymph nodes on the lungs, and cervical strain.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an earlier effective date for a left shoulder disability was dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left hip condition, right hip condition, cervical strain, and back condition due to an incomplete duty to assist error in failing to afford the Veteran VA examinations.
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.